Shortly after a Chevrolet Impala got a flat tire on I-285, an SUV crashed into it with such force, the vehicle burst into flames and the driver — identified Friday as 24-year-old LaWilliam Akins — was killed.
It was not clear if the initial crash, the subsequent fire or both killed Akins. The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office has not identified an official cause of death.
The fiery crash, which occurred about 1:10 a.m. Wednesday on I-285 near Jonesboro Road in southeast Atlanta, began when the car Akins was riding in got a flat while headed eastbound on the interstate.
The SUV, a 2016 Jeep Cherokee, was also headed eastbound and crashed into the Impala, also striking a Chevrolet Suburban, Atlanta police Officer Kim Jones said.
The incident prompted authorities to temporarily close the interstate.
The driver of the Jeep and the two occupants of the Chevrolet were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Officials have not said if criminal charges will be filed in the crash.
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