What happened
On Thursday afternoon at roughly 3:17 p.m., two landscaping workers were tending to a grassy gore between the northbound I-85 collector-distributor lanes and the ramps to North Inner Loop Road when a car veered off the right side of the road and struck them. The vehicle did not stop and initially fled the scene.
The immediate aftermath
Both workers were transported to Grady Memorial Hospital. One of the workers later died from their injuries. The other remains hospitalized in serious condition with life-threatening injuries. It’s a tragic outcome for a routine job that turned devastating in an instant.
Police action and suspect
Investigators say the car involved was a white Chevrolet Malibu. While troopers were still investigating on site, an individual approached officers and identified themselves as the driver. That person was detained and later confirmed to be the vehicle’s driver; they were taken into custody.
Ongoing investigation
The Georgia State Patrol’s Troop C Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team is assisting with the investigation. Authorities have not announced formal charges yet, but they said charges are pending. The victims’ identities have not been released as the investigation continues.
Why it matters
This remains an active and developing investigation as officials work to determine exactly why the vehicle left the roadway and struck the workers. For now, the scene serves as a painful reminder of how quickly a normal workday can turn into a life-changing tragedy.
