Georgia: Driver Charged After I-95 Tractor Trailer Crash Kills 4

The Details: 

On July 1, a tragic accident took place in Camden Country, GA, involving a tractor trailer driver allegedly driving under the influence, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries, including two victims from here in the Upstate.

The truck driver first struck two vehicles traveling southbound before he crossed the median into the oncoming northbound lanes of I-95, colliding with at least three more vehicles. 

The 2 passengers who were traveling with the intoxicated truck driver died on the scene and 12 other individuals were hospitalized. Regrettably, two of those injured, Jamie Sloan, 43, and Rylie Sloan, 14, both of Woodruff, South Carolina, later died of their injuries.

Investigators state that the driver, Nicholas Dewayne Burist, has been jailed on four counts of homicide and faces a dozen other charges. 

A Truck Collision lawyer’s Perspective:

Preventable commercial vehicle collisions can result in tragic consequences for the victims—much more so when it results in the loss of life. 

The driver at fault has been arrested, and it’s clear to see fault and negligence due to the intoxication of the driver. The driver reportedly had an open container and less than an ounce of weed in the cab, so there is huge punitive damage exposure here.  Unfortunately many motor carriers only have minimum required liability insurance limits of $750,000, so when a tragedy like this happens they are vastly underinsured and there is not enough money to bring justice to all of the victims.  While no ruling or settlement can ever restore the losses from this tragedy, we hope to see the truck driver prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law to send a message to the motor carrier and other heavy truck drivers that this conduct will not go unpunished. 

At Hammack Law Firm, we strongly believe in holding those responsible for such tragedies accountable, and we make it our personal mission to help victims navigate an already-difficult process with as much ease as possible. With 22 years of truck accident litigation experience, we have the experience and resources to take on the biggest defendants and insurance companies.  

We have a personal connection to the Sloan family that has been turned upside down by this horrible and preventable collision, and our prayers go out to the friends and family of the victims.

If you or a family member has been injured or experienced loss from such a collision, our team is here to serve and help navigate this harrowing process. (864) 326-3333(864) 326-3333.