ATLANTA, Ga. ( WANF /Gray News) - A truck driver has been charged in a crash on I-85 that killed eight people, including five children.

The victims were killed Monday afternoon when a semitrailer struck their van, and it burst into flames, according to law enforcement.

The semitrailer was following too close to the Dodge van on the interstate in Jackson County, about 62 miles northeast of Atlanta, when the crash happened, authorities said.

Four other vehicles also crashed in what officials described as a “chain reaction” after the initial collision.

The truck driver, identified as 33-year-old Kane Hammock, of Gainesville, was arrested and booked in connection with the crash, according to documents.

Hammock has been charged with eight counts of second-degree vehicular homicide, secon

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