Alcohol, speed blamed in crash that killed 1, injured 3

A 25-year-old Atlanta man was killed and three others were injured in a single-vehicle wreck early Thursday in Cobb County, according to police.

All four were traveling in a silver, 1991 Saturn SL2 eastbound on South Gordon Road in Austell just after 5 a.m. when the driver crossed the center line and struck a concrete curb, according to Sgt. Dana Pierce with Cobb County police. Cobb police are assisting Austell police with the investigation, he said.

“After striking the curb, the car began to rotate in a clockwise manner while continuing to travel in an easterly direction, Pierce said in an emailed statement. “The Saturn then exited the roadway and struck a tree before coming to an uncontrolled rest in the front yard of a residence.”

Michael A. Rogers, 25, of Atlanta, David C. Shepard Jr., 18, of Austell, Najhel J. Fuller, 19, of Smyrna, were all ejected in the crash, which killed Rogers. Thomas Dawson, 18, of Atlanta, was also injured in the crash.

Because of the condition of the vehicle following the crash, investigators have not yet determined who was driving and where the other men were sitting, Pierce said late Thursday.

Shepard and Dawson were transported by ambulance to the Atlanta Medical Center with serious injuries, according to police. Fuller was transported by ambulance to Grady Memorial Hospital with serious injuries.

Investigators believe that alcohol and speed may have been contributing factors in the crash, Pierce said. Anyone with information about the wreck is asked to call 770-499-3910.