Crime & Public Safety
Crime & Public Safety

Accused bridge burner: ‘Thanks to everybody for their support’

6/16/17 - Atlanta, GA - Basil Eleby stands with his attorneys during a brief press conference after his hearing. Eleby, the once-homeless man accused to setting the fire that brought down a section of Interstate 85, appears in court for a status hearing. The state plans to file a new indictment to more accurately depict what happened during the incident, and make some changes to the charges against Eleby. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM
6/16/17 - Atlanta, GA - Basil Eleby stands with his attorneys during a brief press conference after his hearing. Eleby, the once-homeless man accused to setting the fire that brought down a section of Interstate 85, appears in court for a status hearing. The state plans to file a new indictment to more accurately depict what happened during the incident, and make some changes to the charges against Eleby. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM
By Rhonda Cook
June 19, 2017

Basil Eleby -- the man accused of setting the fire that led to the collapse of a section of Interstate 85 in Atlanta -- spoke publicly for the first time last week.

At a status hearing on Friday, Eleby looked far different than the homeless, disheveled 39-year-old accused 2 ½ months ago of starting the I-85 bridge fire on March 30.

IN-DEPTH: Who is to blame for the I-85 bridge collapse?

PHOTOS: Rebuilding the I-85 bridge

This time in court, Eleby sported a black suit and tie.

After the hearing, he spoke for the first time publicly, speaking softly to reporters: “Thanks to everybody for their support.”

ExploreRead more about the case against Eleby at MyAJC.com.

WATCH:

Basil Eleby, charged in I-85 fire, thanks supporters after hearing.

About the Author

Rhonda Cook
More Stories

The Latest

Jeziel Romero, 2, died from fentanyl in late 2023, investigators said. (Courtesy of Romero family)

Credit: Family photo

Cobb mother gets 50 years in prison for toddler’s fentanyl death

Georgia judge resigns after Florida strip club arrest

Judge resigns as council president after Florida strip club arrest

Featured

Peggy Harris (foreground) stocks the shelves at Sandy's IGA, which is the only grocery store in town, Tuesday, October 7, 2025, in Sparta. Hancock County has one of the highest rates of childhood food insecurity in the country. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC

Despite a $14.6 billion surplus, state leaders say they can’t bail out SNAP

The federal government says the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will run out of money Nov. 1. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp says there is nothing the state can do.

Husband of child services director fled DUI crash with kids in truck, GSP says

Authorities say the husband of Georgia's child protective services director had a blood alcohol level 4 times the legal limit when he left a crash with two kids in his truck.

Kirby Smart: LSU coaches ‘borrow’ offices, adds context to Brian Kelly firing

Georgia coach Kirby Smart understands the pressure at LSU, and how that combined with playoff expectations led to Brian Kelly being fired despite a .708 win percentage.