ATLANTA, DeKalb County, Ga., Oct. 11, 2026 — A 7-month-old girl died after a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 20 in DeKalb County on Saturday night, October 10, according to the Georgia Department of Public Safety. The driver who caused the crash during a police pursuit also died of his injuries.
The Georgia State Patrol said a trooper spotted an Audi sedan traveling about 110 mph in a 60 mph zone on I-20, driving with its headlights off and weaving through traffic. When the trooper activated emergency lights, the Audi briefly stopped on the shoulder before speeding away, starting a pursuit.
The driver, identified by GSP as 33-year-old Cameron Kemp of Covington, reportedly continued east on I-20, exited at Candler Road, then re-entered the interstate toward Wesley Chapel Road. Troopers said Kemp lost control while exiting at Wesley Chapel Road, struck a guardrail, and collided with multiple vehicles. GSP said 10 vehicles were involved in all.
Troopers at the scene began treating the injured, including three children riding in one of the vehicles. All three were taken to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, where the 7-month-old, identified by DPS as Kalayia Tolbert, died of her injuries. Kemp was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital and later died there.
Investigators said Kemp was driving with a suspended license and had two outstanding warrants for a probation violation and failure to appear in court. GSP said he also had a prior incarceration tied to an aggravated battery case. The department said it is reviewing the circumstances of the pursuit as the investigation continues.
We are deeply sorry for the loss suffered by the victim's family.
Where Multi-Vehicle Pileups on Interstates Tend to Start
Crashes involving a string of vehicles like this one tend to cluster in specific spots on a highway system, not randomly along it. Interstate exit and entrance ramps are one of those spots. Traffic speeds change fast there, lanes narrow or merge, and a driver entering or leaving the highway has far less room to react than one moving steadily down a straight stretch.
High-speed through-lanes create a second kind of risk. When one vehicle loses control at highway speed, whether from a chase, a mechanical failure, or simply a driver overcorrecting, the vehicles around it often have only a second or two to brake or swerve. On a crowded interstate, that chain reaction can pull in several cars before anyone has a chance to stop.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 17,008 motor-vehicle crash deaths occurred outside passenger vehicles in crashes involving passenger vehicles in 2023. Interstates carry a mix of speeds, vehicle sizes, and merging movements that make a single driver's mistake harder to contain once it starts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do chain-reaction crashes happen?
They usually start with one vehicle losing control, stopping suddenly, or colliding with another, and the vehicles following behind don't have enough distance or time to avoid getting pulled in.
How can drivers avoid getting caught in a pileup?
Keeping a longer following distance, especially at highway speeds, and scanning several cars ahead (not just the one directly in front) gives drivers more time to react if something goes wrong up the road.
What should I do if I'm stopped near a crash on the highway?
Turn on hazard lights, stay in the vehicle if it's not safe to exit, and move as far onto the shoulder as possible. Watch for approaching traffic that may not see the stopped cars in time.
How does fog or low visibility contribute to pileups?
Reduced visibility shortens the time drivers have to spot trouble ahead, which is part of why low-visibility pileups often involve many more vehicles than daytime crashes in similar conditions.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Atlanta, GA
If you're involved in or witness a multi-vehicle crash, call 911 right away and stay as safe as possible, moving to the shoulder or a nearby exit ramp if your vehicle is drivable. Even if you feel fine, it's worth getting checked by a medical provider, since some injuries from a sudden collision don't show symptoms immediately.
Get the names and contact information for anyone else involved, and take photos of the scene if you're able to do so safely. Ask for a copy of the police report once it's filed, and keep records of any medical visits connected to the crash. Atlanta drivers dealing with the aftermath of a highway crash should also notify their insurance company as soon as possible.
