A devastating three-vehicle crash on Interstate 20 in DeKalb County claimed the life of an 11-year-old child and sent six others to area hospitals early Monday morning. The collision occurred at approximately 2:45 a.m. in the westbound lanes near the State Route 124 interchange. According to DeKalb County Fire spokesman Captain Jaeson Daniels, the incident began when an SUV struck the median wall and came to rest perpendicular to the flow of traffic on the highway. A second vehicle then collided with the disabled SUV, causing it to spin into a third vehicle. The impact resulted in two entrapments requiring emergency extrication. First responders transported seven individuals to local medical facilities for treatment. Tragically, the 11-year-old victim succumbed to their injuries at Arthur M. Blank Hospital. Among the other injured parties was a 9-year-old child. Officials have confirmed that at least one person remains in critical condition. Authorities have not released the identities of those involved, and the investigation into what caused the initial collision with the median is ongoing.

Location and Infrastructure

The crash site on Interstate 20 near State Route 124 (also known as Turner Hill Road) represents one of the busier interchanges in eastern DeKalb County. This section of I-20 serves as a critical east-west corridor connecting Atlanta's eastern suburbs with the city center, handling substantial commuter and commercial traffic daily. The westbound lanes where the accident occurred typically experience heavy pre-dawn traffic as early morning commuters and commercial vehicles head toward Atlanta. The interchange features multiple entrance and exit ramps with merging traffic, creating potential conflict points, especially during reduced visibility conditions in early morning hours. The concrete median barrier is designed to prevent cross-median crashes but can create hazardous conditions when struck, as vehicles may rebound into active travel lanes. This particular stretch has seen several serious accidents in recent years due to its high traffic volume and complex interchange design.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Georgia law, victims of multi-vehicle collisions may have several avenues for recovery depending on the circumstances of the crash. Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence system, meaning injured parties may recover damages as long as they are less than 50% at fault, though compensation may be reduced by their percentage of fault. Families who have lost loved ones may pursue wrongful death claims, which in Georgia can include the full value of the decedent's life as well as final expenses. The statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death claims in Georgia is generally two years from the date of the accident. Georgia requires minimum liability insurance of $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident for bodily injury, though this may be insufficient for serious crashes involving multiple victims. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can provide critical additional protection. Children injured in crashes may have claims preserved until they reach the age of majority plus the statutory period.

Related Resources

Emergency Services

• DeKalb County Fire Rescue: (678) 406-7750
• DeKalb County Police Department: (404) 294-2911
• Grady Memorial Hospital Trauma Center: (404) 616-4307
• Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston: (404) 785-6000

Traffic Safety Resources

• Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety: (404) 656-6996
• DeKalb County Traffic Engineering: (404) 294-2878
• Georgia Department of Transportation District 7: (770) 216-3884

Support Services

• Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program: (800) 547-0060
• Kate's Club (Children's Grief Support): (404) 347-7619
• Mothers Against Drunk Driving Georgia: (770) 615-3737

Legal Resources

• Georgia Department of Driver Services: (678) 413-8400
• Georgia Code Title 40 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic): www.legis.ga.gov
• State Bar of Georgia Lawyer Referral Service: (404) 527-8700