The three-vehicle wreck that Smokie Ingram helped clear Monday on Ga. 400 in north Forsyth was one of the more unusual he's seen.

Ingram, who owns Ingram’s Renegade Towing, came to help clean up the pileup, which sent five people to the hospital and slowed traffic on the busy corridor.

“This is about the biggest knot I’ve ever had to untie,” said Ingram, who has 40 years experience in the towing business.

“God will ride with everybody one time. Next time he’ll say, ‘I ain’t gettin’ in the car with you.’”

Forsyth County Sheriff's Capt. Frank Huggins said those involved were lucky they weren’t hurt worse.

“I have never seen a wreck with cars torn up and in that position that didn’t involve more serious injuries or a fatality,” Huggins said.

The collision occurred about noon on Ga. 400 north, just past Settingdown Road.

Forsyth County Fire Capt. Jason Shivers said four adults and one 13-year-old boy were taken to North Fulton Hospital in Atlanta.

Shivers said none of those injured had to be extricated from the vehicles.

Motorists slowed and some stopped to get a look at the wreck.

A 1997 Honda CRV came to rest on the side of the road not far from a 2001 Toyota 4Runner, which got tangled up with a 2001 Ford F250 pickup.

Huggins said the driver of the Ford, 45-year-old French M. Hatfield of Dawsonville, was charged with following too close and failure to maintain lane.

All three vehicles were traveling north when the wreck occurred.

According to a sheriff’s report, the Toyota was in the left lane and attempted to pass the Honda, which was in the right lane.

Hatfield was behind the Honda, which the report said was driven by 70-year-old Rosa Marie Emerson of Powder Springs.

As Hatfield approached Emerson, he attempted to pass and got behind the Toyota, the report said.

The truck then went into the median, causing Hatfield to lose control. The truck came back onto the road, where it then struck the Toyota.

The vehicles crossed both lanes and got in front of the Honda, forcing it off the road into several trees.

The Toyota and Ford overturned before they came to a rest on their sides off the road.

Huggins said neither the Toyota's driver, 46-year-old Colleen M. Bishop of Dawsonville, nor Emerson was charged.

The 13-year-old and 20-year-old Cameron Major were passengers in Emerson’s vehicle.

The conditions of the injured could not be determined Tuesday.