[The Cobb County Courier has the policy of omitting the names of survivors of traffic incident that are still under investigation]
A 26-year-old Cartersville man was killed early Saturday when his vehicle struck a tractor-trailer near the I-75 and I-575 interchange, according to Cobb County police.
The crash happened at about 3:23 a.m. Aug. 22 on I-75 North at I-575 North, according to the Cobb County Police Department‘s Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Unit, which is investigating the collision.
Police said Casey Price, 26, of Cartersville, was driving a gray 2024 Mazda CX-30 north in the right lane of I-75. A red 2022 Freightliner tractor with a flatbed trailer was parked in the gore separating the northbound I-75 and I-575 travel lanes.
Investigators said Price left his lane for an unknown reason and entered the gore. The front left side of the Mazda struck the right rear of the trailer.
Price suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Cobb County Medical Examiner’s Office. His next of kin has been notified.
The tractor-trailer driver, a 60-year-old Killeen, Texas man, was not injured.
The crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact 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.