Lanier High Freshman Killed in Four-Car Buford Crash

A Lanier High School freshman was killed Wednesday morning in a four-car accident in unincorporated Buford, according to Gwinnett County Police. The student was identified as Johnathan Campbell, 15, of Buford.

The accident happened about 7 a.m. March 30 at the corner of Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and 1st Avenue. The police investigation indicated that Vehicle 1, a blue 2006 Chrysler 300 driven by the deceased’s sister Rebecca L. Campbell, 17, of Buford, was headed southbound on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and proceeded to turn left onto 1st Avenue, Cpl. Edwin Ritter reported. Vehicle 2, a black Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Jhony C. Velasquez, 34, of Duluth, was heading north on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and struck the right passenger side of the Chrysler as it turned in front of the Jeep, Ritter said.

Johnathan Campbell, a passenger in the Chrysler, died at the scene as the result of injuries from the accident, Ritter said. The drivers of both vehicles were transported to Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, he said.

Two other vehicles, stopped on 1st Avenue at the stop sign waiting for traffic to clear to turn right on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, sustained minor damage when the impact from the initial crash pushed the Chrysler into their vehicles, Ritter said. There were no reported injuries in Vehicles 3 and 4, he said.

Gwinnett Police are conducting a thorough investigation into the cause of this accident, Ritter said. It is not believed that speed and alcohol were contributing factors, however, it was raining at the time, he said. Velasquez was charged with driving without a valid driver’s license, Ritter reported. Any other charges related to the accident will be determined later as the investigation continues, he said.

A Lanier High School freshman was killed Wednesday morning in a four-car accident in unincorporated Buford, according to Gwinnett County Police. The student was identified as Johnathan Campbell, 15, of Buford.

The accident happened about 7 a.m. March 30 at the corner of Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and 1st Avenue. The police investigation indicated that Vehicle 1, a blue 2006 Chrysler 300 driven by the deceased’s sister Rebecca L. Campbell, 17, of Buford, was headed southbound on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and proceeded to turn left onto 1st Avenue, Cpl. Edwin Ritter reported. Vehicle 2, a black Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Jhony C. Velasquez, 34, of Duluth, was heading north on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and struck the right passenger side of the Chrysler as it turned in front of the Jeep, Ritter said.

Campbell, a passenger in the Chrysler, died at the scene as the result of injuries from the accident, Ritter said. The drivers of both vehicles were transported to Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, he said.

Two other vehicles, stopped on 1st Avenue at the stop sign waiting for traffic to clear to turn right on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, sustained minor damage when the impact from the initial crash pushed the Chrysler into their vehicles, Ritter said. There were no reported injuries in Vehicles 3 and 4, he said.

Gwinnett Police are conducting a thorough investigation into the cause of this accident, Ritter said. It is not believed that speed and alcohol were contributing factors, however, it was raining at the time, he said. Velasquez was charged with driving without a valid driver’s license, Ritter reported. Any other charges related to the accident will be determined later as the investigation continues, he said.