Man dies after jumping out of moving pickup

By Alexis Stevens

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A Cobb County man died early Sunday when he jumped out of pickup truck his brother was driving.

Terry Dewayne Kirkland, 28, of Marietta died during a weekend trip to Dothan, Ala., to visit family.

"Everything indicates he was ready to go home, and obviously intoxicated,  and told his brother to stop or he would jump out," said Sgt. Todd David with Dothan police.

Kirkland was a passenger in a Ford F-150 being driven by his brother, Josh Kirkland, also of Marietta. The two were heading south on Hodgesville Road shortly before 2:30 a.m. at the time Terry Kirkland jumped out, police said. The truck was traveling the speed limit of 35 mph.

Terry Kirkland was transported to Southeast Alabama Medical Center, where he died of blunt force trauma.

Police do believe alcohol was a factor in the death, and toxicology reports are pending, David said. Police do not expect to pursue charges against Josh Kirkland, he said.