Wrong-way driver causes 4-car wreck on I-575 in Cherokee County

A wrong-way driver caused a crash on I-575 in Cherokee County that blocked the southbound lanes for more than an hour during Wednesday’s morning commute, authorities said.

Firefighters responded to the wreck just north of Hickory Flat Highway about 7 a.m., said Tim Cavender, spokesman for Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services.

Authorities said a man traveling north in the southbound lanes caused a four-vehicle wreck and got trapped in his car. The driver, who was the only person injured, was extricated from the mangled vehicle and taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital for evaluation, firefighters said.

His name was not released and it’s unclear how long he was on the interstate before colliding with oncoming traffic.

The wrong-way driver who caused the four-vehicle wreck was the only person injured in the collision, firefighters said.

The southbound lanes remained closed until the crash was cleared about 8:15 a.m., authorities said. Canton police are investigating the wreck.