[It is the policy of the Cobb County Courier to omit the names of people involved in  traffic incidents that are still under investigation]

According to a public information release from Sergeant Eric Smith of the Cobb County Police Department, the department’s Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (S.T.E.P. Unit) is investigating a fatal collision that occurred at approximately 9:30 a.m. on August 28 on the East West Connector west of Concord Road.

Investigators report that a gray 2020 Honda Civic driven by a 23-year-old Douglasville woman was traveling east on the East-West Connector west of Concord Road. At the same time, a silver 2019 Toyota Rav-4, driven by a 27-year-old individual from Grovetown, was traveling west on the East-West Connector, also west of Concord Road.

The public information release describes the collision as follows:

For unknown reasons, the Honda Civic failed to maintain a single lane of travel and crossed over the raised concrete median into the westbound lanes of travel. The Honda Civic began traveling eastbound in the westbound travel lanes where the front of the Honda Civic collided with the front of the Toyota Rav4.

The Honda Civic came to a final uncontrolled rest on the westbound shoulder facing west. The Toyota Rav-4 came to a final uncontrolled rest partially on the raised concrete median and partially in the eastbound travel lane facing west.

The driver of the Honda suffered fatal injuries from the collision and was pronounced dead on scene by personnel from the Cobb County Medical Examiner’s Office. 

The driver of the Toyota was taken to Kennestone Hospital by ground ambulance for treatment of minor injuries.

This collision is still under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the Cobb County Police Department STEP Unit at 770-499-3987.

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.”

The STEP Unit is commanded by Lieutenant Lane Johnson.