A man was killed in a multi-vehicle crash that closed all northbound lanes of I-75 for hours in Cobb County early Tuesday morning, authorities said.
According to Cobb police, 23-year-old Steven Slaymaker of Marietta was fatally struck when he got out of his vehicle after a wreck to check on the driver of the other car around 3 a.m. It happened near exit 258 for Cumberland Mall. The driver he was checking on was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital with serious injuries, officials said.
A silver Honda Civic collided with the right side of Slaymaker’s blue Volkswagen Tiguan, causing the Honda to overturn and eventually come to a stop on the right shoulder of the interstate, police said. Slaymaker also lost control of his vehicle, and it came to a stop in lanes of traffic.
That’s when Slaymaker got out of his vehicle, police said. At the same time, multiple vehicles were approaching the scene of the crash. One of them, a gray Kia K5, hit Slaymaker, projecting him northward into the right shoulder, according to police. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Kia’s driver was not injured.
Two other vehicles, a red Toyota Highlander and a black Dodge Dakota pulling a flatbed trailer, came upon the scene shortly after. The Toyota hit Slaymaker’s vehicle, sending it further north, and the Dodge then struck the back of the Toyota.
The driver and passenger of the Toyota were taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital with minor injuries, while the driver and a 16-year-old passenger of the Dodge were uninjured.
**UPDATE** This crash has cleared. All lanes of I-75/nb are open. Delays should improve. #ATLtraffic https://t.co/vO732uDRSX
— Triple Team Traffic (@WSBTraffic) January 2, 2024
Traffic was diverted onto Cumberland Boulevard until lanes reopened around 7 a.m.
The crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information is requested to contact Cobb police at 770-499-3987.
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