I-85 wreck victims from Cusseta, Tuskegee

The two fatalities of Tuesday’s three-car wreck have been identified as LaDonna Vajda, 55, of Cusseta, and Lakeisha Maddox, 28, of Tuskegee, according to a statement released by the Lee County Coroner’s Office Wednesday.

The wreck occurred at approximately 5 p.m. Tuesday just north of Exit 57 on Interstate 85.

Vadja was driving a BMW 328i that crossed the median and was struck by the Lincoln driven by Maddox, according to the statement. The BMW and the Lincoln were both badly damaged, injuring two Lincoln passengers and killing both drivers.

The passengers were transported for medical treatment, one by helicopter to The Medical Center in Columbus and one by ambulance to East Alabama Medical Center. The statement did not include the names or conditions of the injured passengers.

“Autopsy findings are still pending, but both appeared to have died from massive blunt force injuries,” according to the statement.

Funeral arrangements for Vajda are pending at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home in Opelika and for Maddox at McKenzie’s Funeral Home in Tuskegee.

The Opelika Police Department, Lee County Coroner’s Office and Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences are investigating the cause of the accident.

Opelika police Capt. Allan Elkins said he could not comment on the ongoing investigation.

“There’s nothing I can share today,” Elkins said. “I don’t know how long it’s going to take to complete the investigation.”

A third car sustained minor damage, but no one in that vehicle was seriously injured, according to reports.