Eastbound lanes of the Stone Mountain Freeway were shut down for about three hours Tuesday afternoon following a rush-hour wreck that killed three people and critically injured six, officials said.
Emergency crews had to cut the roof off the top of a van turned on its side -- one of two vehicles in the incident, authorities said -- to rescue the nine people inside.
Six were flown by helicopter to Grady Memorial Hospital and Atlanta Medical Center, where they are listed in critical condition, police said.
The wreck happened just after 4:30 during afternoon traffic between Stone Mountain Industrial and Memorial Drive.
The names of those killed and injured have not been released, but WSB radio reported that the van was a Southern Company commuter van, and the victims were Georgia Power employees.
The van was owned by VPSI, Inc., a Michigan-based company that owns and leases commuter vans in cities across the country. Company spokesman Jim Cain said VPSI vans are typically driven by employees of the local companies providing the van service.
VPSI released the following statement concerning the crash:
"Like everyone, we are shocked and saddened by what happened today.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of the families who have been touched by this tragedy.
"There's a lot that's unknown at this time. As the authorities investigate, we'll do what we can to help them."
WSB reported that witnesses told investigators that a Dodge Stratus clipped the rear of the van as the sedan driver attempted to make a lane change.
Motorists on the highway, also known as U.S. 78, were diverted onto side streets such as Lawrenceville Highway and Ponce de Leon Avenue, which were also clogged for hours following the crash.
-- Staff writer Mike Morris contributed to this article.
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