Atlanta News: Tow truck driver killed in accident on I-20

A tow truck driver was struck and killed in an accident that temporarily blocked multiple lanes of I-20 in DeKalb County on Tuesday afternoon.

The incident happened just before 3 p.m. on I-20 westbound before the Glenwood Avenue exit, according to the state Department of Transportation.

The tow truck driver was identified by the Georgia State Patrol as 45-year-old Patrick Brownlee, of Stone Mountain.

Preliminary reports by the GSP indicate a broken down Pontiac Grand Prix and Brownlee’s Ford F-450 tow truck were in the westbound emergency lane east of the Glenwood Road exit. Investigators said a Chevrolet Silverado, driven by 21-year-old William Watson, of Douglasville, drifted into the emergency lane and struck Brownlee, who was standing outside of the vehicle preparing to load the Pontiac.

All lanes were reopened by 4:30 p.m.

The investigation continues and charges are pending, according to the GSP.

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