Three Dead in Heavy Metal Band Crash in Georgia

COMMERCE, Ga. (AP) – Authorities say three people were killed and eight others injured when a van carrying members of two heavy metal bands careened off an interstate and down an embankment in northeast Georgia.

The Georgia State Patrol said the 15-passenger van was carrying 12 people when it went off Interstate 85 near Commerce around 7 a.m. Monday.

Georgia State Patrol Capt. Mark Perry told The Associated Press that authorities confirmed three deaths. Authorities said the injured people were taken to hospitals in the area.

Georgia State Patrol Cpl. Scott Smith told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the driver apparently fell asleep, and the van left I-85 and struck a tree.

Smith said the occupants were members of two heavy metal bands traveling together and pulling a trailer with the musicians’ equipment. Names of those who died weren’t released.

The bands are “Khaotika” from Atlanta and “Wormreich” from Huntsville.