A woman was killed just after midnight early Saturday on the Silver Comet Trail after the ATV she was on crashed and she was ejected, Cobb County police said.
The red all-terrain vehicle, which was carrying the 52-year-old woman and a man, hit a metal post in the middle of the trail east of Floyd Road, police said. The metal post was placed there to prevent vehicles from traveling on the popular two-lane trail, which was previously a railroad.
Elizabeth Z. Nessley of Austell was ejected from the ATV after impact and died at the scene, police said. After the crash, the vehicle caught fire and burned.
Randall P. Gianisiracusa of Austell, the other passenger on the ATV, sustained minor injuries. He was treated at the scene and released, police said.
Police were trying to determine who was operating the ATV at the time of the crash. It is believed alcohol was a contributing factor and charges may be pending.
The 61-mile Silver Comet Trail starts at the Mavell Road Trailhead in Smyrna and ends at the Georgia/Alabama state line near Cedartown and the Esom Hill Trailhead. It is only open from dawn to dusk, and only service vehicles are allowed on the trail, which is popular among bikers and runners. In addition to motorized vehicles, alcohol is also banned.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call investigators at 770-499-3987.
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