A violent, fiery chain-reaction crash involving multiple big rigs and passenger cars shut down westbound I-285 near Riverdale Road early Saturday, choking off one of the main routes feeding Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. One semi-truck caught fire and three people were rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital as emergency crews worked for hours to untangle the wreckage.
Crash details
Clayton County Fire & Emergency Services received the call around 6 a.m. and arrived to find a five-vehicle pileup involving three semi-trailers and two passenger cars. One truck’s engine compartment was on fire, sending up flames and smoke as crews pulled in. The injured were transported to Grady Memorial Hospital, and the crash remains under investigation, according to Atlanta News First.
Traffic snarls and diversions
All westbound lanes of I-285 were shut down, and officials pushed traffic off at Exit 60, triggering a major travel alert as backups stretched for miles. Georgia 511 and GDOT cameras showed long lines of brake lights while authorities urged drivers to avoid the area and find another way around, according to FOX5 Atlanta.
Fire response and injuries
Firefighters shuttled water to the relatively isolated stretch of highway to knock down the blaze and managed to keep the flames from jumping to other vehicles. WSB-TV reports that three people, two men and one woman, were evaluated at the scene and then taken to Grady Memorial Hospital. No firefighter injuries were reported, and investigators are still working to piece together what triggered the chain-reaction crash.
Why this matters for drivers
This section of I-285 near Riverdale Road is a crucial connector to the airport and a known trouble spot for high-impact closures, a pattern highlighted in earlier coverage by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. With weekend travel in full swing and ongoing GDOT work all around the Perimeter, officials say drivers should check 511GA for real-time conditions and build in extra time if they have to be on the road.
