Pedestrian hit in crash that gridlocked Downtown Connector

A pedestrian was rushed to a hospital in critical condition after being hit Tuesday morning on the Downtown Connector.

Authorities temporarily shut down all southbound lanes of the interstate at University Parkway to get the victim into an ambulance. The lanes were closed about 6:15 a.m. and reopened just before 6:40 a.m., causing lingering delays for much of the morning rush.

The crash was investigated by the Georgia State Patrol. According to the agency, a 37-year-old man was attempting to cross the interstate when he was hit by a Toyota 4Runner.

“The pedestrian was struck by the Toyota in the middle of Interstate 75/85 South,” spokesman Lt. Mark Riley said. “The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.”

His name was not released.

The temporary shutdown caused commuters to crowd onto I-285, Metropolitan Parkway and Moreland Avenue to avoid the residual delays, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center. It did not impact the ride headed north between Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and Midtown.