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Updated: 3 Killed in 2 Tractor-Trailer Crash in Cartersville

The first big rig left the roadway and hit a concrete pillar holding a sign on Interstate 75 near Cass-White Road in Cartersville. The second truck hit a sign that fell.

 

Updated 9 p.m.

GSP spokesman Gordy Wright said the three people killed were:

  • George Benjamin White, 43, of Hiram, was driver of the northbound truck that crossed the median and struck the concrete support pillar.
  • Jermaine Duriel Smith, 36, of Douglasville, was the passenger in White's truck.
  • Hugh Bruce Duling III, 58, of Powder Springs, was the driver of the southbound tractor-trailer that struck the "support structure in the roadway."

Original Report

A crash involving two tractor-trailers on Interstate 75 has claimed three lives and shut down the Cartersville roadway for hours this morning.

Following a series of events that began about 1:50 a.m. with a big rig running off the road, both trucks caught fire and the interstate in both directions was shut down near Cass-White Road, exit 296, Georgia State Patrol spokesman Gordy Wright said.

Here's what happened, according to Wright: A northbound tractor-trailer left the roadway on the left shoulder, struck a guardrail, then hit a concrete pillar support for an overhead sign structure on the southbound side. The truck then rolled onto its side and caught fire. The sign fell and was hit by another tractor-trailer. That truck driver lost control and the vehicle left the roadway.

Two people in the first truck were killed and the driver of the second also was fatally injured. Their names have not been released.

Wright said the northbound lanes of I-75 reopened about 5:20 a.m., but southbound lanes remained closed. A detour is in place from mile marker 306 to mile marker 293 using Highway 140 and U.S. 411.

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Related Topics: Cartersville Fatalities, Tractor Trailer Crash on Interstate 75 in Cartersville, cartersville traffic, and georgia state patrol

Larry

8:10 am on Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Good grief! Wrong place at the wrong time for the 2nd truck!

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ida lester

10:03 am on Wednesday, December 19, 2012

I was also like 5 min away and I saw the scene before cops got there and omg it did not look great I was so shaked by it a couple miles down I hit a deer...

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Richard Lusk

10:18 am on Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Please pray for the families and the driver that is critically injured. It was strange to see people parked in the middle of 75 hanging out in the middle of the interstate trapped between two intersections for hours...

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Fed Girl

12:18 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012

All three people involved died. I got onto 75 SB at exit 306 this morning at 0620; I passed the accident scene at 1130. 10 miles in 5 hours. The trucks were a twisted mess. One cab was practically unidentifiable. (God rest their souls and bring comfort to their families and loved ones.) I travel on I-75 every day from exit 318 to exit 265 for work and personal business. There is so much traffic on that road at all hours, I am surprised there were no other vehicles involved. Sadly, I am shocked when a week goes by and I don't see or hear about an accident.

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Brande Poulnot

3:25 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those killed in this terrible crash.

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Larry

5:42 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012

One thing no one has mentioned - a CPD officer was nearly hit because some idiot decided not to slow down and move into the other lanes. The officer managed to jump out of the way before he was hit.

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Barbara Goswick

6:15 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012

I live at exit 293 and had seen all the fire trucks, ambulances and police cars go by and get on the exits and going up 75. My fiance works nites and just happened to be on break and heard all the sirens and told me go out on the patio and see what was happening. I had a sinking feeling it was an accident an exit up from us, but at the time the traffic was fine both ways. I only found out what had happened this morning when the news helicopters were overhead. It was a horrible scence and my prayers do go out to the families.

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Tori

9:21 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Let me mention, that this was a terrible accident. I live off of Cass-White Rd. and I was very concerned about the families of these people that lost there lives today. Well bystanders were taking pictures of the accident, and this was before they're families found out about it. Someone was arrested for taking the pictures. It's really sad how people let something like this a moment to remember. Stop taking pictures of everything and let the news, police and the fire department do their jobs.

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blp

8:02 am on Thursday, December 20, 2012

My prayers go out to the victims family...im a truck driver myself and see atleast one of these type of incidents a week...drivers doing to much behind the wheel or sleepy and dnt wanna pull over...fatigue is no joke if u are sleepy PULL OVER AND REST A LITTLE...now a innocent driver is gone plus two others for what reason...

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cc brown

4:46 am on Friday, December 21, 2012

My heart broke when I heard this news. The reason being is that My Landlord and Jermaine are like brothers. Jermaine has even set aside time to help my landlord put new siding on my house and water heater in my house. I have had plenty of laughs with them. Please pray for everyone involved. Pray for my landlord who does the same job as Jermaine and Mr. White as he continues to drive trucks. Keep him safe from harm, Amen

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H. Edward

8:44 am on Friday, December 21, 2012

It does not bring the drivers back, nor reverse the accident, but the 2 Northbound drivers in the Dominoes' truck had only been on duty a short while, the commissary is only 30 minutes away, "fell asleep at the wheel" ?.... I doubt it. This accident happened at a VERY busy exit, (2 truckstops and tons of traffic) The accident occured at the exact spot opposing the entrance ramp. Rather than the GHP spokesman stating "The driver ran off the road", perhaps they should look at the possibility of someone FAILING TO YIELD when entering Northbound 75 and other traffic suddenly shifting forcing the driver of the Dominoes truck to take emergency manuvers he could not compensate for. I drive this road every night and see these things all of the time. Please GHP, do your homework, these men were professionals and deserve better. Our prayers are with all of the families who lost a loved one.

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kyle harding

7:37 am on Saturday, December 22, 2012

I drive i75 between C'ville and Dalton almost every day. I see a lot of bad driving by truckers including texting, speeding, etc., but they are always the independents, never the private fleet ones. When you see a truck from Mohawk or Shaw, etc., you can be sure that the company has thousands of dollars and hours invested in the driver's safety and training, because of the liability involved. I would expect the same from Dominos, unless they contract out to independents. These independent guys are scaring me to death. We should always call *DOT to report swerving, texting, speeding drivers.

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Alberta Cannady

9:20 pm on Sunday, December 23, 2012

Was at the funeral of one of the drivers today. A great man of God he was, loved by many. He left a loving wife and three children behind. The church was full to it's capacity. Large church, he impacted many people, he was a great person and friend. He will be missed. R.I.P George..

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Gail Watts

11:59 pm on Sunday, December 23, 2012

my heart goes out to all the famly's that are involved in this tragic accident, also to the white family whom i'm so closed to, my the Lord Jesus have murcy on their souls and bless these famileis with strenght. you all are loved and will be miss tremendously.Mrs white be strong in the Lord and just know that you and your 3 kids will make it through, with time, family and friends.

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Maelee rose

2:25 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013

I share that dreadful day with the families that lost loved ones I was hit that same day by a semi that through me into the guard rail trapping me in my car.. I can't walk now..the first wreck that happened that night.. It's a day that'll forever be burned in my mind... Rip to the ones who died </3

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