Lawrenceville police are trying Tuesday to determine who was at fault in a crash that sent six people to the hospital, critically injuring two.
Police are also investigating whether the van passengers were wearing safety belts at the time of the crash, Capt. Jeff Smith told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. One of the critically injured, a 13-year-old was ejected from the vehicle on impact, Smith said.
“Some were and apparently some were not,” he said of the belt use. “Exact seating arrangements and restraint usage is still being investigated.”
A 2009 Dodge Caravan minivan carrying a grandmother and five grandchildren —ages 5 to 21 — and a friend of one of the children collided with an 2015 International box truck Monday afternoon at the intersection of Old Norcross Road and Riverside Parkway.
The driver of the van, Priscilla Gidney, 64 of Lawrenceville, was also critically injured, Smith said.
Four other children were also injured. The truck driver, Jeremy Wayne Davis, 40 of Suwanee, was uninjured, Smith said.
Davis was traveling east on Old Norcross Road through the green light at the intersection when he turned into the path of the van, Smith said.
Davis said he turned because Gidney initially signaled she was turning and then apparently changed her mind and drove straight ahead after the truck had started to turn, Smith said.
“They both had the green light” Smith said. “Normally you would say the van had the right of way but there are some questions about the van maneuvers just before entering the intersection that will play a part in the investigation about whether there will be charges.”
Gidney, who had to be extricated from the vehicle by rescue workers, and the 13-year-old who was ejected, were transported to Gwinnett Medical Center and remain in critical condition, Smith said.
The four other children were taken to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite with non-life-threatening injuries, Smith said.
The 21-year-old received minor injuries and was treated and released at the accident scene.
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