2 killed in crash that shut down I-285 in Sandy Springs for hours

Two people died in an overnight wreck after a motorcycle crashed into a tractor-trailer on I-285 in Sandy Springs, police said.

Marvin Roberson, 33, of Roswell, and Natalie Strauss, 26, of Sandy Springs, were both killed in the wreck, which happened on the outer loop of I-285 about 10 p.m. Monday, according to Sandy Springs police spokesman Sgt. Sam Worsham.

Roberson was operating a 2007 Kawasaki motorcycle and Strauss was a passenger, Worsham said.

“Mr. Roberson accelerated onto the interstate from Ashford Dunwoody Road and struck the rear of the tractor-trailer,” he said.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene. Strauss, who was thrown from the motorcycle, was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Worsham said it appears that speed was a factor in the crash. No charges have been filed against the driver of the truck.

All westbound lanes of I-285 were closed for hours between Ashford Dunwoody and Peachtree Dunwoody roads while crews worked to clear the crash. The wreck was cleared by 3 a.m., according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.

In other news:

Atlanta police said the victim was walking west on the Beltline in southwest Atlanta when three kids came up to her around 8 p.m. on Easter.