Two people were killed on Ga. 400 overnight when a pickup truck slammed into a man and woman who had stopped to search for something, authorities said.
The fatal wreck occurred just after 2 a.m. Friday near Settingdown Road in Forsyth County, sheriff’s office spokesman Cpl. Doug Rainwater said.
According to deputies, a 2001 GMC Sonoma driven by 52-year-old Michael Stembridge was traveling north in the left lane of the highway.
A man and woman had stopped their vehicles in the emergency lane and gotten out to search for a lost item on or near the roadway, Rainwater said, adding that both pedestrians were dressed in dark clothing.
“Due to the dark conditions, the driver did not see the first pedestrian,” Rainwater said. “Evidence indicates the driver attempted to avoid the accident but was unable to avoid striking the first pedestrian.”
The first pedestrian was standing in the northbound lane of Ga. 400 when they were struck, authorities said. As Stembridge veered left to avoid them, he also hit the second person.
The two people killed were identified as 44-year-old Michael Sweat of Dawsonville and 25-year-old Kayla Howard of Dahlonega.
Investigators don’t believe Stembridge was distracted or impaired at the time, and no charges are pending, Rainwater said.
The collision remains under investigation.
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