A tow truck driver was killed Thursday afternoon in a crash that shut down all lanes of I-575 South in Cherokee County.
Woodstock police said officers were called about 1:10 p.m. after the man, identified as Frank Lee Ingram, 48, of Woodstock, was struck by a vehicle. It was not clear if he was assisting another motorist at the time.
Ingram owned a towing and impound service based in Woodstock and was known for racing on the clay dirt track at Dixie Speedway.
“Our hearts are heavy tonight for the tragic loss of Frank Ingram,” the speedway posted on Facebook, asking for prayers for his family. “Frank was a huge part of Dixie Speedway racing history.”
Our hearts are heavy tonight for the tragic loss of Frank Ingram. Frank was a huge part of Dixie Speedway racing...
Posted by Dixie Speedway on Thursday, October 19, 2023
For more than an hour before the evening drive, I-575 South was shut down between Sixes Road and Ridgeway Parkway. All lanes reopened by 3:45 p.m., but gridlock conditions lingered between Holly Springs and Woodstock for much of the afternoon, the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center reported.
🔴 GRIDLOCK ALERT from Holly Springs to Woodstock, as the investigation appears nearing an end. Left lane just reopened I-575/sb n. of Ridgewalk Pkwy. (Exit 9). Jammed before Hwy. 5 (Exit 14). #ATLtraffic pic.twitter.com/ZgLx6MfmlQ
— Triple Team Traffic (@WSBTraffic) October 19, 2023
Woodstock police investigated with the assistance of the Woodstock Fire Department, Holly Springs Police Department and Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, according to department spokesperson Brittany Page.
No other details were released about the crash, which remained under investigation Friday. Police did not say if the driver who hit Ingram would face charges.
As news of Ingram’s death spread, those in the racing and wrecker communities took to social media to post tributes. Many took the opportunity to remind motorists of Georgia’s Move Over law, which requires drivers to move over one lane when possible if an emergency vehicle is parked on the shoulder.
Our family at Barrow Wrecker Service is saddened by the news of Frank Ingram’s passing; the owner of Ingram Towing. He...
Posted by Barrow Wrecker Service on Thursday, October 19, 2023
Ingram is the third tow truck driver killed in metro Atlanta this year. According to the motor club AAA, an average of 24 emergency responders, including tow providers, are struck and killed by vehicles each year.
“Deaths like these can be avoided if drivers slow down and move over to give these people room to work safely,” AAA president and CEO Marshall Doney said. “We can’t stress enough how important it is to pay attention so you have time to change lanes when you see AAA, an emergency responder, or simply anybody along the side of the road.”
— Please return to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for updates.
