BUFORD — A woman faces charges after she allegedly caused a deadly chain-reaction crash on I-85 southbound near Buford Friday night.
The Gwinnett County Police Department said in an email that 39-year-old Lisseth Alvarado was driving southbound in the left lane of I-85 south near the Hamilton Mill exit when she braked to avoid slowing traffic in her lane. Police said she misjudged the speed of the traffic in her lane and swerved into the right lane to avoid a crash.
Behind her, there were three tractor trailers - all swerved to avoid hitting Alvarado's vehicle, according to the police report. The first tractor trailer behind her hit her car, while the second tractor trailer swerved to avoid the incident and ended up on the shoulder of the interstate. The third rig also swerved, but couldn't avoid hitting the tractor trailer in front of him, and the driver was ejected and killed.
Police identified the deceased driver as 36-year-old Gianni Darden of Calhoun.
Alvarado has been charged with vehicular homicide in the second degree, as well as following too closely and unsafe lane change.
The deadly crash happened around 9:45 p.m. Friday.
