Three car wrecks in Cobb County killed three people, including a 17-year-old, within a 51-hour span, police said.
The teenager died when an impaired driver smashed into the car he was riding in, ultimately causing him to be thrown from the vehicle, according to Cobb police spokeswoman Officer Sydney Melton.
Melton said the crash happened shortly before 11 p.m. Friday on Hiram Lithia Springs Road at Sweetsprings Drive.
Robert Aguirre-Ortega, 52, of Powder Springs, was driving a black 2006 Lexus ES330 on Lithia Springs Road and was preparing to turn left onto Sweetsprings Drive, Melton said. Derren Aguirre, 17, and Carla Aguirre, 46, both of Powder Springs, were passengers in the car, she said.
Percy Reynolds, 44, was driving a silver 2018 BMW 430I heading south on Lithia Springs Road, Melton said.
Credit: Cobb County Sheriff's Office
Credit: Cobb County Sheriff's Office
Aguirre-Ortega turned left and entered the path of the BMW, Melton said. The front of the BMW hit the right rear of the Lexus, and the force of the collision tore most of the rear passenger compartment from the rest of the vehicle.
Derren Aguirre, who was sitting in the back seat, was ejected from the car. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Carla Aguirre and Reynolds both suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital, Melton said. Aguirre-Ortega had minor injuries but was not taken to the hospital, she said.
Investigators believe excessive speed and impairment are factors in the crash. Reynolds has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. Other charges are anticipated, Melton said.
Derren Aguirre was a student at McEachern High School, Channel 2 Action News reported. The teen was in the drama club and was set to star in a play the morning after he was killed.
Less than 48 hours later, a fiery crash killed one person on Cobb Parkway in Acworth, officials said. The single-vehicle wreck happened about 5 p.m. Sunday north of Cedarcrest Road, Melton said.
Michael Morton, 48, was driving a white 1999 Chevrolet S10 when, for reasons unknown, he slammed on his brakes, Melton said. The Chevrolet skidded, turned clockwise and left the roadway, Melton said. It then smashed into a tree and caught fire, she said.
Witnesses told police Morton might have been racing another car described as a red Ford Mustang, Melton said. He died at the scene.
A passenger in the car, 17-year-old Donovan Morton, was taken to Kennestone with non-life-threatening injuries, Melton said.
A third person was killed early Monday morning when he was thrown from his motorcycle, Melton said. The wreck happened shortly before 1:30 a.m. at the intersection of Stilesboro and Pine Mountain roads, she said.
Joshua O’Connell, 36, of Marietta, was riding a white 2008 Suzuki GSX600R south on Pine Mountain Road. When he went through the intersection, the motorcycle crossed a concrete curb and hit a wooden fence on the southern shoulder of Stilesboro Road, Melton said.
O’Connell was taken to Kennestone, where he was pronounced dead.
All three fatal wrecks are under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Cobb police at 770-499-3987.
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