A driver was ejected from his pickup truck and killed early Monday in a three-vehicle crash on I-285 north in DeKalb County.

The accident occurred about 1 a.m. near the Glenwood Road exit, police said.

“Speed is believed to be a factor that contributed to this crash,” DeKalb police Maj. Stephen Fore said.

A northbound driver in a Chevrolet Avalanche tried to pass a Kia Soul, Fore said. Instead, officials said the Avalanche struck the Kia.

The driver of the Avalanche, Freddie Harris, 52, of Decatur, lost control of the truck and struck a GMC Sonoma before leaving the roadway and flipping into the woods, Fore said.

“(Harris) was ejected in the process and died at the scene,” Fore said.

According to the preliminary investigation, Harris was not wearing a seat belt, Fore said.

“The accident is still under investigation,” he said.

No one else was injured in the crash, which temporarily shut down the north side of the Outer Loop for more than two hours and caused delays, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.

Lanes reopened before 3:30 a.m.

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