COBB COUNTY, Ga. — The driver of a tractor-trailer is expected to be OK after Cobb County police say he fell asleep at the wheel and crashed.
The big rig hit the sound barrier of Interstate 75 in Cobb County.
Triple Team Traffic reported the crash in the northbound lanes near Wade Green Road in Acworth on Channel 2 Action News This Morning.
Cobb County police say the truck’s driver presumably fell asleep and drifted off the road.
No other cars were involved.
He was ejected from the cab and was rushed to WellStar Kennestone Hospital in critical condition.
The truck first hit a guard rail about a quarter-mile away, then scraped along the concrete barricades before crashing through the metal guardrail and into sound walls.
NewsChopper2 over the scene showed the tractor-trailer on its side, with the road and sound barrier heavily damaged.
The crash shut down all northbound lanes just past Wade Green Road in Acworth for the entire morning rush hour.
Drivers used Highway 74 and I-575 North to Highway 92 as alternatives.
Officials with the Georgia Department of Transportation told Channel 2's Steve Gehlbach the barriers will be replaced and the crash will not delay the current timeline for the I-75 Express Lane Project.
Terrible crash and fire I-75/nb shut down north of Wade Green Rd. (exit 273). That's a smoldering tractor trailer over the sound barrier wall. Traffic diverted off at Wade Green Rd. Take 92 back to I-75. #ATLtraffic pic.twitter.com/jlpnTAW6A0
— Ashley Frasca (@AshleyFrascaWSB) July 9, 2018
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