Early morning I-85 collision in Gwinnett leaves 5 teens dead, 3 injured

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA–Five teens are dead and three others injured after a three-car collision that occurred shortly before 4 a.m. today(Sept. 4) on the SR 316 (University Parkway) westbound ramp at Interstate 85 southbound, Gwinnett County Police said. At least three of the teens in the Labor Day accident were students at Lakeside High School in DeKalb County, police have learned.

The deceased—three females and two males—have   been identified as Katy Gaitan, 17, of Atlanta, Ashley Gaitan, 16, of Atlanta; Coral Lorenzo, 17, Atlanta, Hung Nguyen, 18, of Lawrenceville, and Abner Santana, 19, of Suwanee. Three additional persons were transported to local hospitals, police said. No information was provided on their injuries.

All of the deceased were occupants of the same vehicle, which had gone over the wall of a raised ramp, falling onto the Interstate 85 southbound Collector-Distributor to Pleasant Hill Road, authorities said.

Officers assigned to the Central Precinct responded quickly to the collision and requested the Accident Investigation Unit, the Gwinnett Police Department said.

The accident resulted in an extended shutdown of the SR 316 WB ramps to I-85 southbound and Pleasant Hill Road, along with the -I85 Southbound Collector Distributor to Pleasant Hill Road.

The roadways have since re-opened, and the Accident Investigation Unit is continuing the investigation.

Witnesses are encouraged to contact the Gwinnett County Police Department Accident Investigation Unit at pdaccidentinvestigationunit@gwinnettcounty.com or 678-442-5653. To remain anonymous, tipsters should contact Atlanta 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.

The Case Number is 23-0068837.