Driver arrested in crash that killed 1, injured 17

Joseph Newson (Credit: Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office)

Joseph Newson (Credit: Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office)

A tractor-trailer driver who police say caused an eight-car crash that left a woman dead and 17 people injured faces vehicular homicide and other charges.

Lawrenceville police arrested Joseph Newson in connection with the June 12 crash on Ga. 316, Sgt. C.D. Ralston said Thursday in a statement.

Newson, 60, of Jackson, was booked in the Gwinnett County Adult Detention Center on charges of vehicular homicide in the second degree and following too closely, Ralston said.

Eva Wilkerson, 62, of Winder, died at the scene of the crash after part of her car went under the tractor-trailer and caught fire, officials said.

Nine patients were taken to Gwinnett Medical Center-Lawrenceville and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite with minor to moderate injuries. Two adults were in critical condition at the time.

Eight others were treated and released at the scene.

One victim, Shirley Roberts, told Channel 2 Action News she had to kick her way out of her car.

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