A 56-year-old Lawrenceville man was killed in a wrong-way collision on Interstate 85 in Gwinnett County early Friday morning, November 29, 2025. Gwinnett County Police responded to the crash at approximately 1:33 a.m. on I-85 northbound near Indian Trail Lilburn Road. According to investigators, Sade Robinson, 38, of Stonecrest, was driving a white 2020 Jeep Wrangler southbound in the northbound Peach Pass express lane when she struck a black 2020 Mercedes-Benz head-on in the leftmost lane. The driver of the Mercedes-Benz, James Taylor, succumbed to his injuries at the scene before emergency responders could provide medical assistance. His remains were transported to the Gwinnett County Medical Examiner's Office. Robinson sustained injuries and was hospitalized following the collision. Police arrested her at the scene on multiple charges, including first-degree homicide by vehicle, DUI alcohol less safe, reckless driving, driving on the wrong side of the road, and two counts of willful obstruction of law enforcement officers. Investigators documented clear weather conditions, dry pavement, and adequate street lighting at the time of the incident.

Location and Infrastructure

Interstate 85 is a major north-south corridor running through Gwinnett County, serving as a critical artery for commuters traveling between Atlanta and northeastern suburbs including Lawrenceville, Duluth, and Suwanee. The Peach Pass express lanes are dedicated toll lanes separated from general traffic lanes, designed to facilitate faster travel for registered users. The stretch near Indian Trail Lilburn Road sits in an area of heavy commercial and residential development, with multiple access points and interchanges in proximity. Wrong-way incidents on express lanes present particular dangers due to the high-speed nature of traffic and limited opportunities for evasive maneuvers within the physically separated corridor. Despite the presence of street lighting and optimal road conditions at the time of this crash, the configuration of express lane entry and exit points can create confusion for impaired or disoriented drivers, contributing to wrong-way incidents on highways throughout the metro Atlanta region.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Georgia law, surviving family members of individuals killed due to another driver's negligence may pursue wrongful death claims to recover damages. Georgia Code Section 51-4-2 establishes the framework for such actions, which must generally be filed within two years of the date of death. When a fatality results from impaired driving, criminal proceedings occur separately from civil litigation, and criminal conviction may influence civil liability determinations. Potential compensation in wrongful death cases can include the full value of the decedent's life, lost income and benefits, medical expenses incurred prior to death, and funeral and burial costs. Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence standard, which may affect recovery in cases involving multiple contributing factors. Insurance considerations typically involve the at-fault driver's liability coverage, though underinsured motorist coverage held by the victim may also apply. Families navigating these circumstances should be aware that evidence preservation and timely documentation are essential to protecting potential legal interests.

Related Resources

• Gwinnett County Police Department: (770) 513-5000
• Gwinnett County Medical Examiner's Office: (678) 442-6600
• Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety: gamotorsafety.org
• Georgia Department of Transportation Traffic Information: 511ga.org
• Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Georgia: madd.org/georgia
• Georgia Department of Driver Services: dds.georgia.gov
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: nhtsa.gov
• Victim Assistance Program, Gwinnett County Solicitor's Office: (770) 822-8000