A man suffered life-threatening injuries Friday after a suspected drunken driver crashed into the back of his vehicle at a Marietta intersection near I-75, police said.

Jose Rodriguez, 57, of Marietta, was stopped at Delk Road westbound at the I-75 southbound entrance and exit ramps, spokesman Jared Rakestraw said. Ivan Branch, 52, of Marietta, was heading westbound on Delk Road and hit Rodriguez’s vehicle from behind.

Roberto Rodriguez, 24, a passenger in the vehicle that was hit, suffered life-threatening injuries and is at WellStar Kennestone Hospital, Rakestraw said. The crash happened about 6:48 p.m.

Branch was treated and released at Kennestone. He was charged with DUI, following too close and serious injury by vehicle, Rakestraw said. He is being held at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center.

Jose Rodriguez and the two other passengers in his vehicle were injured and taken to Kennestone. Their conditions were not available.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Officer Henry at 770-794-5352.

Know what's really going on with crime and public safety in your metro Atlanta community, including breaking news, trial coverage, trends and the latest on unsolved cases. Sign up for the AJC's crime and safety newsletter delivered weekly to your inbox.

In other news:

Police are combing over home security video to find the masked killers who shot a disabled veteran as he protected his wife.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Ernie Suggs, a reporter at the AJC since 1997, reviews a selection of articles he has contributed to during his time with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, as of Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Featured

Prosecutor Skandalakis has previously suggested that pursuing criminal charges against President Donald Trump may not be feasible until after he leaves office in 2029. (Craig Hudson/Politico/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images