
A Georgia family is experiencing a level of heartache no one should ever face. Just after 4 p.m. on October 13, 2025, a tanker truck reportedly rear-ended a Dodge minivan carrying eight family members, ranging from ages 3 to 42 years old. Tragically, everyone in the van perished in the crash, and the semitruck driver, 33-year-old Kane Hammock, now faces homicide charges.
The crash occurred on I-85 south of mile marker 147 in Jackson County. Hammock was allegedly following the minivan too closely when the fiery crash occurred, 11Alive reported. Darwin Reyes Velasquez, 25, told 11Alive the victims included 42-year-old Maribel Ramirez, 16-year-old Justin Ramirez, 14-year-old Andy Ramirez, 11-year-old Natali Ramirez, 4-year-old Kaylee Ramirez, and 3-year-old Evan Ramirez. One of the victims, 22-year-old Kenia Ramirez, was pregnant at the time of the crash.
The victims’ family created a GoFundMe to aid with the mounting unexpected expenses of laying eight people to rest.
“We are devastated. In these moments, there are truly no words to describe the pain that comes from the unexpected loss of our loved ones. We think not only about the memories made but those that were yet to come,” a message on the page reads in part. “What gives us consolation is that they are all now rejoicing in God’s loving arms and at peace.”
According to Atlanta News First, police found seven victims inside the van and an eighth elsewhere at the crash scene. Police arrested Hammock, who now faces eight counts of second-degree vehicular homicide, one count of second-degree vehicular feticide, following too closely, distracted driving, and operating a vehicle without a proper plate. According to online records, Hammock remains in jail on a $93,000 bond.
Tailgating is never safe, but it’s exponentially worse when it involves a semitruck. An 18-wheeler can’t just hit the brakes if traffic changes in an instant. This poor family will never be the same. And sadly, neither will the driver. Hopefully, he can find a way to make amends, but that’s a very tall order.