UPDATE | Trucking company sued in fiery Georgia crash that killed 5

Thursday, April 30, 2015

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) -- The mother of one of five nursing students killed in a Georgia highway crash last week is suing the trucking company that employed the driver suspected of causing the fiery collision.

Kim Deloach McQuaig filed the wrongful death suit Wednesday against Total Transportation of Mississippi and its parent company, Tennessee-based U.S. Xpress Enterprises. The civil suit in Bryan County State Court seeks monetary damages for the death of McQuaig's daughter, 21-year-old Abbie Deloach of Savannah.

The Georgia State Patrol has said the April 22 crash on Interstate 16 appears to have been caused by a tractor-trailer that smashed into stop-and-go traffic slowed by an unrelated wreck. Deloach and four fellow nursing students from Georgia Southern University died.

Total Transportation CEO John Stomps did not immediately return a phone message Thursday.

Monday, April 27, 2015

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WRDW) -- We are learning more about the two Georgia Southern University students who survived the fatal car accident last week.

The hospital in Savannah tells News 12 Megan Richards has been treated and released.

They do not have information on the other girl, Brittney McDaniel. The hospital tells News 12 that could mean she has already been released or transferred or it could mean the family opted to keep her updates private.

The chain reaction crash killed five other Georgia Southern nursing students. The crash is still under investigation.

Friday, April 24, 2015

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW) -- Five chairs sit empty at Georgia Regents University Friday. Those seats are reserved for the Georgia Southern nursing students killed in the I-16 crash this week.

In a state wide effort to show support, the state capitol lowered their flags to half staff on Friday. Locally, GRU nursing students show support by wearing Georgia Southern colors and logos.

All five were killed on their way to a Savannah Hospital for their last round of clinicals.

Those at GRU say it was shocking when they got the news.

"The loss, the shock, the horror of it for the families, for the loss of the wonderful future nurses and to the College of Nursing at Georgia Southern.. just extreme sadness," GRU College of Nursing Dean, Lucy Marion said.

Earlier today investigators closed one lane on i-16 for two hours to recreate the crash where a tractor trailer smashed into the students SUV hoping to find out more about the accident.

Investigators have said it could take months before they find out enough information to determine if they will press charges.

News 12 This Morning, Friday, April 24th, 2015

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW)- People mourning the loss of 5 Georgia Southern nursing students has spread past Statesboro.

GRU's nursing students and faculty will meet Friday morning wearing Georgia Southern colors and logos and take a photo to show their support. The are raising money for a scholarship fund or to help the families with burial expenses.

They had a moment of silence on Thursday for the young ladies who lost their lives. While students at GRU are showing their support; the Eagle nation leaned on each other at Thursday night's vigil.

Tears from family friends and professors mourning the loss of Caitlyn Baggett , Emily Clark, Catherine Pittman, Abbie Deloach, and Morgan Bass.

They were on their way to their final clinical in Savannah when they were killed in a crash on Interstate 16.

Georgia State Patrol said a tractor-trailer did not slow down, and smashed into backed up traffic. They said the tractor trailer slammed into an SUV, car, and tanker truck.

The students were in the car, and it burst into flames after being crushed.

All 5 girls were in a sorority and juniors in the nursing program

one of them Caitlyn Baggett from Millen, and her family is still trying to wrap their heads around losing a loved one.

"I lived with them for 4 years. She was my heart, and my heart is broken. She was full of life," said Brenda Gay, Baggett's aunt.

The other two students injured in the crash are stable.