A heartbreaking crash on Interstate 75 South in Macon, Georgia has claimed the lives of a grandmother and her 1-year-old grandson. The fatal collision happened near Sardis Church Road on Wednesday afternoon and involved four vehicles, according to authorities.

Leon Jones, the Bibb County Coroner, identified the victims as 61-year-old Joann White and 1-year-old Zion Thomas. Jones confirmed that White was the child’s grandmother. Both were pronounced dead at the scene, leaving family members and the community mourning a devastating loss.

The Georgia State Patrol said the two victims were traveling in a Toyota Corolla on Interstate 75 when their vehicle was struck from behind by a Ford F-350 pickup truck. The force of the impact pushed the Toyota into another car in front of it. That vehicle was then forced into a fourth vehicle, creating a chain-reaction crash across multiple lanes of traffic.

Authorities said a third passenger inside the Toyota was injured and transported to Atrium Health Navicent Medical Center in Macon for treatment. The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office reported that multiple other injuries occurred as a result of the crash. Two additional people were taken to the hospital by ambulance, though officials have not released details about their conditions.

According to the Georgia Department of Transportation 511 website, the crash occurred around 4:30 p.m. and led to the closure of three southbound lanes on Interstate 75. The lane closures caused major traffic delays in the area as emergency crews responded and investigators worked at the scene. GDOT estimated that the roadway would be cleared around 10:30 p.m.

Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash, including what may have led to the initial rear-end collision. As the investigation moves forward, loved ones are left grieving the sudden loss of two generations of the same family. The tragic accident serves as a painful reminder of how quickly lives can change on busy highways.