The truck driver accused of hitting and killing a AAA contractor on the side of I-85 early Saturday has admitted to falling asleep behind the wheel, authorities said.
According to information released by the Georgia State Patrol, 21-year-old John E. Johnson stopped along I-85 northbound near Hamilton Mill Road to assist a 25-year-old Atlanta woman with a flat tire. Johnson and the woman were both outside their vehicles when, around 1:10 a.m., the tractor-trailer driven by Marcus Johnswelo Bush "sideswiped" one of their vehicles.
The collision forced the car into Johnson, the woman and the second stopped vehicle. Johnson was killed and the woman was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center, authorities said.
The tractor-trailer came to a final rest in the ditch on the northbound shoulder.
Georgia State Patrol spokeswoman Tracey Watson said Monday that Bush, a 43-year-old South Carolina resident, told troopers he had fallen asleep behind the wheel.
Bush was charged with second-degree vehicular homicide and failure to maintain lane, both misdemeanors. Online records showed that, as of Monday morning, he remained in the Barrow County jail without bond.
Johnson was a service technician at Deerfield Roadside LLC in Bethlehem and was providing assistance Saturday as a AAA contractor, auto club spokesman Garrett Townsend said Monday in an emailed statement.
“We are profoundly saddened by this tragic incident that took place [Saturday],” the statement said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s families, friends and the towing community who have been affected by this unfortunate occurrence.”
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