Auto auction site of car crash

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Auto auction site of car crash

Photos: Blue Ridge Auto Auction in Ellijay, Georgia, was the site of a car crash when a Volvo headed for auction accelerated and plowed into the crowd.

A car preparing to be auctioned sped up and plowed into a crowd Tuesday night in Ellijay. More than two dozen people were injured in the 8 p.m. incident at the Blue Ridge Auto Auction.

A 1995 Volvo 960 at the Blue Ridge Auto Auction after it plowed through a crowd of people, injuring more than two dozen people. A note posted on the auction's website states: "Thank you for your prayers and calls over the terrible accident last night. Please continue to pray for those injured."

The Volvo 960 was to be auctioned, when it suddenly accelerated into the crowd at Blue Ridge Auto Auction.

The Volvo was being held at Georgia Mountain Towing. Investigators seek the cause of the car's sudden acceleration.

Gilmer County Fire Chief Tony Pritchett (left) and Gilmer County Sheriff, Stacy Nicholson (right) speak to the press outside Fire station 11 located on Whitepath Road next door to the Blue Ridge Auto Auction Wednesday.

Lt. Frank Copeland of the Gilmer County Sheriff's Office said. Copeland said he did not think the incident was intentional. "I think it was probably an accident more than likely," he said. "As far as I know it was not a malicious act of any kind."

Gilmer County Sheriff deputies came to the Blue Ridge Auto Auction Wednesday morning at 9:20 a.m. for 15 minutes and then left after speaking to employees there. No charges have been filed against the driver, the State Patrol said.

Twenty-seven people were injured, according to Gordy Wright, spokesman for the State Patrol. Thirteen people were treated on the scene and did not require hospitalization, he said.

Sheriff Stacy Nicholson told WSB-TV that the driver of the 1995 Volvo was not seriously hurt but was "seriously shaken up."

The auction looks over Highway 515S at Whitepath Road in Ellijay.

The auction building was idle Wednesday morning before four employees returned.

The Blue Ridge Auto Auction will be closed Wednesday.

Fox 5 reported that one man is in critical condition at Atlanta Medical Center.

Blue Ridge Auto Auction employees drive cars out of the lot Wednesday morning.

A gatekeeper at the Blue Ridge Auto Auction lets a Georgia State Patrol trooper in on Wednesday morning.

Cars whiz by Blue Ridge Auto Auction on Highway 515S at Whitepath Road. Four people were flown to Atlanta Medical Center and North Fulton Hospital, Wright said. One person was flown to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga and another was flown to Hamilton Medical Center in Dalton, he said.

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A car preparing to be auctioned sped up and plowed into a crowd Tuesday night in Ellijay. More than two dozen people were injured in the 8 p.m. incident at the Blue Ridge Auto Auction.

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