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UPDATE: INTERSTATE COLLISION LEAVES FIVE DEAD AND THREE INJURED

UPDATE #2: (Duluth, Ga., Sept. 27, 2023) – Criminal charges have been obtained for the driver of one of the other vehicles involved in this fatality collision.

Emanuel Rene Esfahani (age 20, Lawrenceville) has been charged with five counts of Homicide by Vehicle – First Degree (one count for each of the deceased), Reckless Driving, Racing, Speeding, Unsafe Lane Change, and Seatbelt Required. Esfahani turned himself into the Gwinnett County Jail and was booked in shortly after 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 26.

Investigators have determined that Esfahani was driving the Infiniti G35 and was racing the Toyota Tacoma, driven by Nguyen, along with five other occupants.  They were speeding in excess of 100 mph on the exit ramp from State Route 316 to Pleasant Hill Road when they came upon a vehicle traveling slower than they were.  The Tacoma passed on the left, and the Infiniti passed on the right, likely in the right emergency lane. 

The Infiniti quickly came upon a box truck stopped in the emergency lane and swerved to the left to avoid the truck.  The Infiniti swerved across the lanes and struck the Tacoma, unintentionally performing a P.I.T. Maneuver, causing the Tacoma to lose traction and began to spin and roll.  That is when the Tacoma continued to travel right across the lanes, making an impact with the retaining wall.  The excess speed caused it to carry over the wall and fall to the ramp 37 feet below.    

The latest updated report is not yet available.

 

UPDATE #1: (Duluth, Ga., Sept. 4, 2023) – The decedents have been identified as Katy Gaitan (17-year-old female from Atlanta), Ashley Gaitan (16-year-old female from Atlanta), Coral Lorenzo (17-year-old female from Atlanta), Hung Nguyen (18-year-old male from Lawrenceville) and Abner Santana (19-year-old male from Suwanee).

All the decedents were occupants of the same vehicle, which had gone over the wall of the raised ramp. The next-of-kin for each of the decedents has been notified. The Gwinnett County Police Department has learned that the three deceased females were students at Lakeside High School in DeKalb County.

This continues to be an active investigation, and we ask anyone with information to contact the Gwinnett County Police Department Accident Investigation Unit at pdaccidentinvestigationunit@gwinnettcounty.com or 678.442.5653.

 

ORIGINAL: (Duluth, Ga., Sept. 4, 2023) – The Gwinnett Police Accident Investigation Unit is handling a three-vehicle collision that resulted in the death of five individuals and left three injured.

The collision occurred on the SR 316 (University Pkwy) westbound ramp to Interstate 85 southbound.

Shortly before 4 a.m., 911 calls were received by Gwinnett County Communications of a vehicle going over the wall of the raised ramp, falling onto the Interstate 85 southbound Collector-Distributor to Pleasant Hill Road. Officers assigned to the Central Precinct responded quickly to the collision and requested the Accident Investigation Unit. Gwinnett County Fire Personnel identified five persons deceased at the scene. Three additional people were transported to local hospitals.

This collision caused an extended shutdown of the SR316 westbound ramp to I-85 southbound and Pleasant Hill Road, along with the I-85 southbound Collector Distributor to Pleasant Hill Road. The roadways have since re-opened, and the Accident Investigation Unit continues the investigation. Specific identifying information of the deceased is being withheld until all next-of-kins are notified.

It has not yet been determined what factors led to the collision or the seriousness of the injuries to the surviving parties.

Witnesses are encouraged to call or email GCPD Investigators with any helpful information at pdaccidentinvestigationunit@gwinnettcounty.com or 678.442.5653. To remain anonymous, tipsters should contact Crime Stoppers at 404.577.TIPS (8477) or visit www.stopcrimeATL.com.  Crime Stoppers tipsters can receive a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case. 

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