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

A pedestrian was killed while trying to cross Mableton Parkway at Community Drive.

Here is the public information release distributed by Officer Aaron Wilson of the Cobb County Police Department:

Cobb County, GA – September 14, 2024 – The Cobb County Police Department’s Special Operations S.T.E.P. (Selective Traffic Enforcement Program) Unit is investigating a fatal pedestrian collision that occurred on Mableton Parkway, north of its intersection with Community Drive at approximately 10:49 PM.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a 36-year-old male from Mableton was walking east across Mableton Parkway outside of a crosswalk when a white 2020 Nissan Murano struck him.

Following the collision, the pedestrian was redirected and came to an uncontrolled rest in the northbound lane, where he was pronounced dead by the Cobb County Medical Examiner’s Office. The Nissan came to a controlled stop in the same lane north of Community Drive.

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

Name being withheld pending next of kin notification.

General surroundings at the location

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The intersection is on a busy commercial corridor on Mableton Parkway, immediately north of Factory Shoals Road.  The death occurred alongside a small strip mall with a grocery store, a dollar store, and a package store, among other small businesses.

Pedestrians frequently cross directly in front of the strip mall (I witnessed at least six people crossing in a ten-minute period while I took the photos below, despite fast-moving traffic).

The nearest crosswalk is at Factory Shoals Road, just to the south.

The first photo gallery is of the general surroundings.

The second group of photos are the roadway where the death occurred. Click on images to enlarge them, and look carefully. You’ll see the pink chalk lines police use to investigate the accident.

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.