The Newton County Sheriff’s Office Thursday identified the driver killed in a wrong-way crash on I-20 east of Atlanta as Joel William Simpson, 52, of Newton County.

The crash happened late Tuesday night near Salem Road.

“There was an initial call dispatched as a wrong-way driver on I-20 east going west,” Newton sheriff’s Deputy Felicia Jefferson said.

While deputies were en route, a second call was received about a wreck involving two sport utility vehicles near Mile Marker 89, Jefferson said.

Simpson, who Jefferson said was driving the wrong way, was killed, and two people in the second vehicle sustained non-life threatening injuries.

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Braves first baseman Matt Olson (left) is greeted by Ronald Acuña Jr. after batting during the MLB Home Run Derby as part of the All-Star Game festivities on Monday, July 14, 2025, at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

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