Six people are killed and several others hospitalized after van carrying 16 people crashes and bursts into flames on Georgia interstate

• The crash occurred just after 6.30pm Saturday on I-85 in Gwinnett County
• Passersby stopped to pull people from the burning van after it overturned
• Six people were pronounced dead at the scene and several others were taken to Atlanta-area hospitals for treatment
• Investigators are working to determine the cause of the crash
• Information at the scene suggested another vehicle may have been involved

At least six people died and several others were injured in a crash on a Georgia interstate that left a passenger van engulfed in flames and rolled on its side.  

The crash occurred just after 6.30pm Saturday on I-85 near the I-985 split in Gwinnett County, about 35 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta. 

Passersby stopped to pull people from the van after it overturned and was engulfed in flames, Gwinnett County police Sgt Michele Pihera said in a news release.  

Six people were pronounced dead at the scene and several others were taken to Atlanta-area hospitals for treatment. 

On Sunday afternoon police confirmed there were 16 people riding in the van at the time of the crash. They were part of a ‘sober living group’, 11 Alive reported. 

At least six people died and several others were injured in a crash that left a passenger van engulfed in flames and rolled on its side on Georgia’s Interstate 85 on Saturday evening

The charred van is seen lying on its driver’s side after the flames were extinguished

Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the crash and identify the victims. 

Police said information at the scene led investigators to believe another vehicle may have been involved in the crash either directly or indirectly.   

The news release said details about the people in the van would be announced in the coming days.

One bystander suffered a minor injury but declined to be transported to a hospital, police said. 

Witnesses were asked to call the police department’s accident investigation tip line with any information.

Photos from the scene showed the van charred and lying on its driver’s side after the flames were extinguished. 

Multiple fire department and police vehicles blocked the highway for hours.  

Multiple fire department and police vehicles blocked the highway for hours

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