One dead and two critically injured in three-vehicle crash that shut down Atlanta’s I-285 West lanes

Crash sequence under investigation near Old National Highway

One person was killed and two others were critically injured in a three-vehicle wreck on Interstate 285 West near Old National Highway, forcing a major shutdown on Atlanta’s southwest perimeter road. The collision happened Saturday morning, January 17, 2026, in a corridor that carries heavy commuter and commercial traffic and provides access to the area around Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

State troopers said a Honda Accord traveling westbound on I-285 failed to maintain its lane and struck a tractor-trailer. The Honda then left the roadway and hit an abandoned vehicle parked on the shoulder. The fatality was a passenger in the Honda, while two other occupants were transported to a hospital in critical condition. Authorities have not released the identities of those involved.

Road closures and response

The crash triggered significant traffic disruptions as emergency crews worked the scene and investigators documented evidence and cleared debris. The shutdown affected I-285 West near the Old National Highway area, with motorists diverted to alternate routes during the response and investigation. Officials have not detailed how long all lanes were blocked, but the closure was described as substantial enough to require active traffic management.

What is known—and what is not

Investigators have not publicly identified any contributing factors such as speed, impairment, distraction, mechanical failure, weather, or roadway hazards. No details have been released on whether the tractor-trailer driver was injured, whether charges are expected, or how long the abandoned vehicle had been on the shoulder before the crash.

Because the incident involved a commercial vehicle and a stationary vehicle on the shoulder, investigators are expected to examine lane positioning, visibility, vehicle dynamics at highway speeds, and the circumstances that led to the initial lane departure. Any conclusions on cause will depend on the findings of the crash reconstruction.

Key verified details

• Location: I-285 West near Old National Highway in Fulton County.

• Vehicles involved: a Honda Accord, a tractor-trailer, and an abandoned vehicle on the shoulder.

• Casualties: one passenger killed; two people critically injured and hospitalized.

• Status: investigation ongoing; names not released.

Atlanta’s highway crashes often have outsized ripple effects: beyond the immediate injuries, prolonged lane closures can immobilize freight movement, airport access traffic, and regional commutes across the perimeter.

Troopers continue to investigate the events leading up to the crash. Further updates are expected once investigators complete preliminary findings and next-of-kin notifications are made.