Metro Atlanta
Metro Atlanta

2 dead after wrong-way collision in Cherokee County

Channel 2's Steve Gehlbach reports.
By Ty Tagami
June 26, 2016

The fiery head-on collision in Cherokee County Saturday claimed the lives of two young adults, a man and a woman from each vehicle.

On Sunday, after notifying family members, the Georgia State Patrol released the identities of the two 21-year-old victims: Danielle L. Thomas, of Acworth, and Benjamin R. Spotts, of Woodstock.

The crash Saturday happened on Wade Green Road at Oak Lane when a truck going the wrong way collided with a car in the southbound lane, Cherokee sheriff's spokesman Jay Baker said.

The truck, a Ford Ranger driven by Spotts, overturned several times and caught fire after it hit Thomas in the Honda Civic, the state patrol said. There were no passengers in either vehicle. The state patrol is leading the investigation.

About the Author

Ty Tagami is a staff writer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Since joining the newspaper in 2002, he has written about everything from hurricanes to homelessness. He has deep experience covering local government and education, and can often be found under the Gold Dome when lawmakers meet or in a school somewhere in the state.

Follow Ty Tagami on facebookFollow Ty Tagami on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Linda Tran works with staff to prepare large platters for each table during the Thanksgiving Celebration at the First Senior Center on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, in Norcross. Linda and her sister Von Tran, who jointly operate the First Senior Center, are refugees with a harrowing survival story of leaving Vietnam as children. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Vietnamese refugee sisters survive harrowing journey, now pay it forward

The Tran sisters, Von and Linda, make Thanksgiving special for Vietnamese seniors at First Senior Center of Georgia in Norcross, hosting both American and Vietnamese feasts.

Thanksgiving to bring chilly, dry, overall delightful weather to metro Atlanta

A big drop in temperatures is coming overnight Wednesday, so go ahead and pull out those flannels and blankets.

Stabbings at Buckhead high-rise, Vivide nightclub turn deadly

Separate stabbings that left two men dead sent Atlanta police flying across the city in the early morning hours Wednesday.

The Latest

Sonny Bharadia, who spent more than two decades behind bars for a 2001 crime he did not commit, is suing the small town of Thunderbolt and the two law enforcement officers who handled his case. (Courtesy of Georgia Innocence Project)

Credit: Georgia Innocence Project

Man locked up for 23 years despite evidence proving his innocence, lawsuit says

Vietnamese refugee sisters survive harrowing journey, now pay it forward

Stabbings at Buckhead high-rise, Vivide nightclub turn deadly

Featured

Marquay Collins reviews Hattie B's in Atlanta in a video posted on Nov. 10, 2025. (marquaythegoat/TikTok)

Credit: @marquaythegoat

Georgia TikTok star ‘Marquay the Goat’ dies at 24

Sources familiar with the situation said Collins had complained of head and neck pain in the days leading up to his death.

State troopers record 30 crashes, 57 DUIs at start of Thanksgiving operation

Georgia State Patrol troopers are increasing their presence across the state’s interstates and state roads during the Thanksgiving travel period.

Everything you need to know about No. 4 Georgia vs. No. 23 Georgia Tech

The Yellow Jackets (9-2) are looking to break that long run of losses to UGA. And a win Friday would keep their faint CFP hopes alive.