UPDATE: Crash kills pedestrian, shuts down major road for hours

Authorities have identified the victim in a fatal pedestrian crash investigation that clogged a major artery through Clayton County for four hours Wednesday morning and complicated the Southside commute.

Three vehicles hit Cleveland Brown, 35, of Carrollton, about 5:15 a.m. Wednesday, shutting down all southbound lanes of Tara Boulevard at Ga. 138 and bringing northbound traffic to a crawl, according to the Georgia State Patrol.

The drivers involved in the crash stopped to speak with authorities and will not be charged, state trooper Sgt. Barry Miller said.

“There was nothing that the drivers of the vehicles could do,” Miller said. “It was dark out. He was wearing dark clothing.”

According to authorities, the man was not in a crosswalk when he tried to cross Tara Boulevard from an inside lane and was hit. Miller said there may have been other vehicles involved that did not stop.

Pedestrian deaths are an all-too-common occurrence on Tara Boulevard, Miller said. The roadway has no street lights in the area.

RELATED: Fatal wrecks involving pedestrians up 16% in Georgia this year

At least one car hit a pedestrian about 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, shutting down all southbound lanes of Tara Boulevard at Ga. 138 and bringing northbound traffic to a crawl, according to the Georgia State Patrol.

While authorities investigated the crash, commuters crowded onto Main Street in Jonesboro and I-75 to avoid the mess, contributing to further delays on both roadways.

The road was reopened about 9:45 a.m.