According to a public information release from Officer Sydney Melton of the Cobb County Police Department, a driver and passenger, who were not wearing seat belts, were ejected from a Ford F-150 pickup truck when the truck hit a guard rail on I-575 near Bells Ferry Road early Saturday morning.

Investigators from the department’s Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Unit, who are investigating the accident, described the incident as follows:

A white 2004 Ford F-150 was northbound on I-575. The Ford was towing a home made flatbed trailer. The driver had worked all night on a labor-intensive job. The driver most likely fell asleep and failed to negotiate a right curve. The Ford entered the left emergency lane where it collided with the concrete Jersey barrier. The driver then began steering right, causing the Ford to enter a clockwise yaw. The Ford continued across the travel lanes and right emergency lane. The trailer separated from the Ford and continued northbound in the travel lanes.

The left side of the Ford collided with a guardrail which penetrated the passenger compartment. The Ford entered a rapid counter-clockwise rotation and came to a final stop on the grass shoulder. The trailer came to a final stop in the left emergency lane against the concrete Jersey barrier.

The driver, Terrance Moore, 39, of Louisville, Kentucky, was taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

The passenger in the truck, who was also taken to the hospital, had minor injuries.

The accident is still under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Cobb County Police Department at 770-499-3987.

What is the STEP Unit?

The STEP Unit, which investigates serious or fatal traffic crashes, is one of the Cobb County Police Department’s Special Operations units, and  is described on the web page of the Cobb County Police Department as follows:

“The Selective Traffic Enforcement Unit is responsible for investigating all fatal traffic crashes, enforcement of traffic laws in those areas which analysis indicates an elevated amount of crashes. They are also responsible for the administration and execution of the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program. They also take part in special security details, and investigate crashes involving Department vehicles when requested.”