GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Authorities say a deadly Gwinnett accident Saturday on Interstate 85 that shut down most traffic in both directions for hours has been cleared.
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) said all southbound lanes at Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road (Exit 111) were initially blocked, as well as three lanes on the northbound side.
According to Suwanee Police Lt. Robert Thompson, the accident happened around 2 p.m. when a motorcycle traveling at high speed in the HOV lane rear-ended an SUV. Thompson said both the rider and the motorcycle then went over the wall into the southbound lanes and landed on top of a pickup truck.
The crash killed the motorcyclist, later identified as 36-year-old Richard Moore Hardison of Duluth. Four people inside the truck were taken to area hospitals with what police believe weren't life-threatening injuries. The driver of the SUV originally struck was treated and released at the scene.
At 4:18 p.m., traffic maps showed northbound traffic backed up as far as Duluth Highway and southbound traffic stretching back to Friendship Road. However, around 6 p.m. maps and GDOT cameras have since shown the route clear.
The investigation into the accident is still underway and being handled by the Suwanee Police Accident Investigation Unit. Investigators are asking anyone with information about the crash to call Suwanee Police Sergeant Simon Byun at 770-904-7650.
