Two Drivers Killed, Two Passengers Critical in Wrong-Way Collision on GA 10 Loop

Two motorists were killed and two passengers sustained critical injuries following a wrong-way multi-vehicle collision on the GA 10 Inner Loop in Athens, Georgia, early Sunday morning, according to the Athens-Clarke County Police Department (ACCPD).

Authorities responded to the scene near the Chase Street exit around midnight on December 21. Preliminary investigations by the ACCPD indicate that a 2021 Kia Seltos, driven by a 26-year-old female from Lawrenceville, was traveling in the wrong direction toward the Oglethorpe Avenue exit. The vehicle reportedly collided with a 2021 Mercedes-Benz and a 2020 Ford Expedition before continuing against the flow of traffic.

Police state that the Kia subsequently struck a 2017 Toyota Camry head-on. Upon impact, the Kia crashed into the roadway’s cable barriers and became engulfed in flames. Both the driver of the Kia and the driver of the Toyota, identified as a 25-year-old male from Athens, succumbed to their injuries at the scene.

Emergency medical teams transported one passenger from the Kia and one from the Toyota to a local hospital, where officials report they remain in critical condition. The occupants of the Mercedes-Benz and Ford Expedition suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Traffic Safety Context

This collision represents the eighth fatal crash recorded by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department in 2025, contributing to a total of ten traffic-related deaths in the jurisdiction this year. The investigation into the specific factors leading to the wrong-way entry onto the highway is ongoing, as local authorities continue to monitor high-risk corridors for safety improvements.