Driver Charged After Deadly Multi-Vehicle Crash on I-85 in Jackson County

UPDATED 8/12/26
JACKSON COUNTY, Ga. — Georgia State Patrol officials have identified the victim and the driver charged in connection with a deadly multi-vehicle crash that shut down Interstate 85 in Jackson County for several hours Monday evening.

According to a GSP release Tuesday, 52-year-old Shawn Antonio Burke was driving a box truck when the crash occurred around 5:22 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10, on I-85 northbound near mile marker 136, just before the Highway 129 exit.

Investigators said traffic had slowed in the area when Burke, who was traveling in the right lane, allegedly followed too closely and struck the rear of a 2026 Toyota Corolla driven by 43-year-old Jackson Marcano. The impact pushed the Corolla into the median wall.

The truck then struck the rear of a 2019 Nissan Altima driven by Amy Levy, causing the Altima to rotate before coming to rest facing south. While rotating, authorities said the Altima struck a 2017 Chevrolet Trax driven by 25-year-old Itzel Gomez and a 2023 Ford F-150 driven by 26-year-old Scot Kollman.

Marcano was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Levy was also taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center with critical injuries. Gomez and Kollman reported no injuries, according to GSP.

Burke has been charged with second-degree homicide by vehicle and following too closely.

The crash blocked the northbound lanes of I-85 for several hours as authorities investigated and crews cleared debris from the roadway. The interstate reopened shortly before 8:30 p.m. Monday.

The investigation remains with the Georgia State Patrol.