1 killed in fiery multivehicle crash that shut down I-285 for hours

An investigation into a fatal, fiery crash shut down the southbound lanes of I-285 for nearly four hours Friday morning, causing extreme delays through Fulton County.

According to the Georgia State Patrol, four vehicles were involved in a crash near the Washington Road exit at about 5:30 a.m. When troopers and emergency crews arrived, a Hyundai Sonata was fully engulfed in flames with its driver still inside.

Investigators believe the Hyundai was stalled in the left lane when it was rear-ended by a Dodge Challenger, pushing it into the third travel lane. The vehicle was struck again by a Kia Sportage and began spinning uncontrollably, sideswiping a Chevrolet Malibu in the process, a GSP spokesperson said.

At that point, the Hyundai burst into flames. East Point fire spokesperson Renita Shelton said heavy traffic delayed fire engines from getting to the scene, but the first arriving crews were able to extinguish the fire minutes after their arrival.

A female driver was discovered dead inside the vehicle, Shelton said. Two other motorists were treated at the scene, and another was alert when he was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital by ambulance, she said.

The southbound lanes remained closed for much of the morning while troopers investigated. During the shutdown, traffic was forced off the interstate at Washington Road.