Crime & Safety

Update: Woman Dies From Injures in GA 400 Accident

The woman was driving a small sedan, which was one of three vehicles involved in the accident.

UPDATE at 10:28 p.m.

A 60-year-old woman died Monday following a three-vehicle accident on GA 400 south of Pilgrim Mill Road (Exit 16) in north Forsyth County. 

Maria Josefa Martinez of Oakland Street, in Cumming, was pronounced dead around 12:15 p.m. at Northside Hospital-Forsyth after being transported there following the collision, according to Deputy First Class Michael Nelson of the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office.

Martinez, who was driving a 2009 Toyota Yaris Coupe, was traveling southbound near Pilgrim Mill Road when she struck the rear end of a Freight liner tractor-trailer. The impact from the collision sent her Toyota out of control causing it to strike a 2004 Ford Econoline Van. Both the Toyota and Ford vehicles left the roadway eventually stopping near the wood line. 

Authorities say the Ford van burst into flames with the driver inside, but three good Samaritans stopped their vehicles to check on both drivers, and were able to pull the van driver from the driver's side, a press release stated. The van driver, who is physically challenged from a pre-existing condition, was unable to get out of his van by himself. 

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The FCSO said the van was equipped with a wheelchair and wheelchair lift. 

No other information was released as to the condition of the van driver or the driver of the tractor-trailer. 

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The crash remains under investigation by the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office. 

UPDATE at 3:24 p.m.

The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office has identified the woman who passed away as Maria Josefa Martinez, 60, of Cumming. Deputy Doug Rainwater with the agency noted the cause of the accident remains under investigation. 

UPDATE at 2:56 p.m.

Capt. Jason Shivers with the Forsyth County Fire Department has confirmed one victim in Monday's accident on Georgia 400 has passed away. The female victim was transported to Northside Hospital-Forsyth in critical condition where she died from her injuries. 

The woman was driving a small sedan, which was one of three vehicles involved in the accident. One adult male was transported in stable condition to the hospital. A vehicle — a full-size van — also caught fire at the scene of the accident. 

UPDATE at 12:38 p.m
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Georgia 400 southbound at Exit 16 has been reopened, but surface streets remain congested. Streets experiencing heavy traffic include Pilgrim Mil Road, Bald Ridge Marina Road and Highway 9 heading towards downtown Cumming. 

The Forsyth County Fire Department reported there are injuries as a result of the three-vehicle accident. 

ORIGINAL STORY

An accident has shut down all lanes on Georgia 400 southbound at Exit 16/Pilgrim Mill Road.

According to 11 Alive, one northbound lane of traffic is also closed due to the accident, which involves one tractor-trailer and at least two vehicles.

Stay with Patch for updates.

Liz Kennedy contributed to this article.

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