Man thrown from car during horrific crash on I-285 in DeKalb

A man survived after being thrown from his car Monday during a horrific crash that shut down part of I-285 in DeKalb County during the morning commute.

The crash investigation temporarily blocked the ramp and one right lane of the Perimeter at Lavista Road, according to DeKalb police spokeswoman Michaela Vincent.

Photos from an Atlanta Journal-Constitution photographer at the scene showed part of a white vehicle wrapped around a tree on the side of the road, while remnants of the mangled car were strewn about.

Investigators said the 27-year-old driver was heading south on the interstate when he lost control of the car. The vehicle then veered off the road and down an embankment, Vincent said.

The man was thrown from his vehicle before the car slammed into a second tree, Vincent said, adding that “excessive speed” likely contributed to the crash.

He was rushed to a hospital and is expected to survive, police said. No other vehicles were involved in the wreck.

Authorities closed the road about 9 a.m. to investigate the crash and reopened the interstate about 10:30 a.m. Police have not provided an update on the driver’s condition or said whether he will be charged.