Authorities said a driver was attempting to change songs on his cellphone and didn’t realize traffic had stopped in front of him when he caused a major traffic snarl Wednesday morning on Interstate 985.

One person was hospitalized with minor injuries in the four-car accident in the northbound lanes near the Flowery Branch exit, according to state patrol.

Georgia State Patrol said the Ford Escape was following too closely and hit a Honda Civic, which then was knocked forward into the back of a Honda Odyssey van.

The injured person was extricated from the Honda Civic and taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center.

A Kia Soul that drove into the emergency lane in an attempt to avoid the collision was hit by the Escape as it veered toward the right shoulder and emergency lane following the initial impact, according to state patrol.

The driver of the Escape was cited for following too closely and not exercising due care.

The wreck happened north of the Flowery Branch exit and blocked northbound traffic for much of the morning.

Hall County Fire Services responded to the 7:50 a.m. call and found that multiple people were already out of their vehicles. All lanes were blocked until shortly before 9 a.m., when the left northbound lane reopened. All lanes were open again by 10 a.m.