Man's body found on side of I-75 ID'd

BARTOW COUNTY, Ga. — Update: 

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has identified the man who was found dead on the side of I-75 N in Bartow County.

Mack Owen Griggs, 24, of Forest Park, is the victim, according to officials.

GBI officials told Channel 2 Action News Friday afternoon that investigators are still working to determine whether Griggs' death is a homicide or an accident.

Original: 

Three police agencies are working to figure out how a man ended up dead on the side of I-75 N in Bartow County.

Investigators found the man’s body Wednesday morning near Exit 283 in Emerson after someone called 911 to report it.

Police have not identified the victim.

“He appeared to be a young male,” Georgia State Patrol Sgt. Joe Stephens said.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is conducting an autopsy. The GBI is assisting Emerson police and the Georgia State Patrol with the investigation.

Investigators said there doesn’t appear to be any automobile damage in the area where police found the body. They said the victim doesn't appear to have any injuries.

GBI agents said they can’t release much information in the early stages of the investigation, but they sent a statement that said, in part, “As of now we are conducting a death investigation until a determination is made on the cause of death.”

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Some people at a nearby truck stop believe there may be foul play involved.

“There’s more to it and that’s the way I feel about it,” Mark Harrinton said.

Drivers said they want to know what happened and if they should be alarmed.

“For someone to find him so close to where I work and where I live is unsettling. Bless his heart. Bless his family,” Grace Brownley said.

One truck driver said he sees hitchhikers in the area all the time, and he thinks that may be what the man was doing when he died.

“People hitch a ride from Chicago going to Florida, (I-)75 corridor straight through, and you never know,” Chris Pittman said.

Cox Media Group