A Marietta man was hit by a car and killed Friday evening while trying to cross the southbound lanes of I-75, police said.

The fatal crash occurred just after 9:30 p.m. near the Delk Road exit, shutting down the southbound lanes of the interstate for more than an hour. Traffic was diverted onto South Marietta Parkway, the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center reported.

According to police, 61-year-old Earl Townsend tried crossing several lanes when he was struck by a Chevrolet driven by a 26-year-old Austell woman. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The fatal crash remains under investigation, and anyone with information is asked to call Marietta police 770-794-5357.

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