UPDATE: East Ridge Police identified the victim’s in Sunday afternoon’s crash on I-75. They are Lane Smith, 23, of Fayetteville, Tennessee, and David Huggins, 61, of Dawsonville, Georgia.
A Tractor trailer driver from south Florida has been charged in a multi-vehicle wreck on I-75 northbound on Sunday afternoon that claimed two lives.
Antoinier Joseph, 65, of Boynton Beach, Fl., was charged with two counts of reckless homicide, three counts of reckless aggravated assault, and seven counts of felony reckless endangerment. Joseph posted a $165,000 bond and is due to appear in East Ridge Municipal Court on August 5.
East Ridge police also said that three members of a family suffered serious injuries. All told, eight people were transported to the hospital as a result of the crash.
Late Sunday afternoon at approximately 5:20 p.m., East Ridge Police and Fire received a dispatch call to Northbound I-75 around the 1.2-mile marker regarding a multiple vehicle crash. Officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel responded quickly and began immediate lifesaving efforts.
The incident involved six passenger vehicles and a tractor trailer. Two vehicles were actively on fire. Emergency personnel prioritized lifesaving and performed multiple extrications. As of 6:45 PM all patients have been transported. Chattanooga Police Department, Hamilton County Sheriffs, and Tennessee Highway Patrol also responded to assist efforts on scene.
Crews will be working the area for several hours and commuters are being strongly encouraged to find alternate routes. Vehicle traffic is being diverted of I-75 North onto exit 1. No information regarding patient names, status, or locations will be released at this time.
