Two crashes — a deadly pedestrian accident and a massive multivehicle wreck — turned I-20 in Atlanta into a parking lot for three hours during the height of the Wednesday morning commute.
A man was killed after getting struck by a car while walking along I-20 near Lowery Boulevard, Atlanta police spokesman Sgt. John Chafee told AJC.com.
Authorities said the pedestrian, identified Thursday as 37-year-old Dehaven Holmes of Decatur, tried crossing the interstate about 6:20 a.m. and was hit by a driver near the median wall.
That led to a multivehicle wreck involving six other cars as drivers tried to avoid the scene and smashed into each other, Atlanta police said.
One man involved in the wreck was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital after complaining of minor pain, Officer Anthony Grant said.
Credit: JOHN SPINK/ JSPINK@AJC.COM
Credit: JOHN SPINK/ JSPINK@AJC.COM
Both directions of I-20 were closed at Lowery Boulevard while authorities worked the crashes, the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center reported. Westbound lanes reopened just before 8:30 a.m.
RED ALERT continues I-20/eb at Lowery Blvd. (exit 55A) is still Shutdown, but the westbound lanes are now Open Heavy delays Please Avoid and Use Hwy 78, Boone Blvd. or MLK Jr. Dr. as alternates https://t.co/MhPvicYKPN #ATLtraffic pic.twitter.com/LzajKFbwjr
— AJC WSB Traffic (@ajcwsbtraffic) October 2, 2019
Eastbound lanes reopened just before 9 a.m., according to the Traffic Center.
Traffic is Moving Again in West Atlanta: Crash Investigation has Cleared on I-20/eb at Lowery Blvd. (exit 55A) All lanes are now Open Tough delays remain Please continue to use Hwy 78, MLK Jr. Dr. or Boone Blvd as alternates https://t.co/RuPa64SzPC #ATLtraffic pic.twitter.com/FLZPbd43qc
— Triple Team Traffic (@WSBTraffic) October 2, 2019
The Georgia State Patrol is helping Atlanta police investigate the crash.