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.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Rivian announced it will establish an East Coast headquarters at Junction Krog District in Atlanta. (Courtesy of Rivian)

Credit: Courtesy of Rivian

Featured

“Our members cannot be bought off,” General President Sean O’Brien said in a social media statement, calling UPS' offers “illegal and haphazard.” (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2023)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC