Gwinnett County police have tentatively identified the two people killed early Tuesday in a fiery crash near Sugar Hill. But investigators will rely on dental records for positive identification, police said Wednesday.
Police believe James P. Gifford, 30, of Ellijay, lost control of his dark gray BMW 740i north on Sycamore Road about 12:30 a.m. Tuesday. Gifford and his passenger, 21-year-old Thomas Hawkins of Snellville, had just left an alcohol abuse class and were heading to Lake Lanier, according to police.
The vehicle crossed the double yellow lane, ran off the west side of the road, struck a tree and became fully engulfed in flames, police said.
The Gwinnett County Fire Department responded and extinguishes the flames, but the two people in the car did not survive. Investigators initially had difficulty identifying the victims due to the extent of their injuries, according to police.
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