The driver of a van was killed Friday on eastbound I-20 in Atlanta when his vehicle struck a truck whose driver had stopped to give aid in another accident, the Georgia State Patrol said.
The van driver, who was ejected, was identified as James Tatro, 47, of Villa Rica, the GSP said.
The chain of events began about 9:50 a.m., when a vehicle was traveling westbound on I-20 near Windsor Street, the GSP said.
As that vehicle changed lanes, it struck another vehicle. The driver, identified as Schemacta Bass of Riverdale, lost control and her vehicle flipped. Bass, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected. She was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, according to the GSP.
About 9:55 a.m., a flatbed truck driven by Derrick Adams, 42, of Austell, was traveling eastbound in the first lane from the median wall, the GSP said. Adams saw the westbound crash and parked on the left shoulder to help. Tatro’s van, which was following too closely, struck the right rear of the truck, which was partially inside the far left lane.
There were no charges issued, the GSP said.
The accidents closed the freeway in both directions for hours. Westbound lanes reopened about 11:45 a.m., while eastbound traffic resumed about 1:30 p.m.
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