Cobb County police were investigating late Friday a pair of fatal traffic accidents, one involving a motorcycle and the other a pedestrian.

The first happened at about 8:15 p.m. on Macedonia Road in Powder Springs, Sgt. Dana Pierce said. Authorities believe a box truck was preparing to turn left on Macedonia Drive and “had to stop to yield to oncoming traffic before turning.”

At that point, 27-year-old Joshua Byrd was on his Suzuki motorcycle and struck the truck from behind, Pierce said. Byrd was transported to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival.

About five miles away and three-and-a-half hours later, 34-year-old Jacky Patterson was hit by a car and killed in Austell.

Pierce said Patterson was attempting to cross the East-West Connector near Hicks Road when he was hit by a Ford Escape. He was in a crosswalk but walking “against the traffic signal,” Pierce said.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Criminal charges are not expected in either death, Pierce said.

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