By John Brice
Correspondent
News of multiple traffic accidents on the Chambers County portion of Interstate 85 were reported by several local media outlets and law enforcement agencies in the area during the early morning hours of Monday, December 11th of 2023.
In a press release from the Lanett Police Department it was announced “On December 11,2023 Lanett Police Department along with Lanett Fire and Ems, Chambers County 911, Chambers County EMA and Alabama State Troopers also Alabama Department of Transportation responded to multiple vehicle accidents on I-85 Southbound from Mile Marker 74 – 77. Upon arrival by First responders, Multiple collisions were located at Mile Marker 77 with multiple injured subjects.
One collision involving two passenger vehicles which resulted in the death of one victim (Byungock Shim, 40 of Auburn, Alabama). Another collison involving two Semi-Tractor Trailers also at Miler Marker 77 resulted in the death of (Jonathon Bennett Kelly, 34 of Wadesboro, North Carolina). The Two Victims were pronounced deceased at the scene By Chambers County Deputy Coroner Levi Richardson. T
The accidents at Mile Marker 77 were part of a chain reaction from an accident at Mile Marker 74-75 which the subjects were injured. One subject was Life-flighted to a surrounding hospital and another subject in that accident was transported by East Alabama Fire and EMS to a Local Hospital with non-life threating injuries.”
In a Monday morning post to the official facebook page for the Troup County Sheriff’s Office it was stated “Due to a reported multi vehicle / fatality wreck on Interstate 85 SB near the 77 exit in Alabama, GA DOT – CHAMPS is diverting traffic off Interstate 85 SB at Exit 6 (KIA) and traffic cannot get back on the interstate until they get to Exit 77 in Alabama. This also means Exit 2 is closed. A detailed alternate route is not being posted however the most logical route would be using Highway 29 (West Point Road) which will ultimately lead to traffic backups on that road. Expected clear time is 12 PM according to the latest update. We will update as we hear further.”
Shortly before noon the TCSO followed up with another post which noted “The vehicle accident on Interstate 85 is in Chambers County, Alabama. We were asked to share information regarding the traffic diversion on Interstate 85 SB. We are not assisting with the crash investigation.” Less than an hour later a follow up post declared “The Southbound lanes are back open on Interstate 85. Traffic will still be backed up for an extensive period as first responders are still working the crash site in Alabama. Expect delays and backups.”