ELLENWOOD, Ga -- Clayton County Police Saturday blamed an alleged habitual traffic offender for an early morning accident which left one person dead and a highway closed for hours. The family of the accused offered their sincerest apologies to the victim's family. Police say Robert T. Morris, 33, of Jonesboro was driving southbound on Interstate 675 near the Gaorgia 138/Stockbridge exit when his Taurus clipped a pickup truck in front of him. The pickup, driven by Anderson Barber, 44, of Decatur went out of control, passed through a grassy median and was hit head-on in the northbound lanes by a larger truck pulling a trailer. Barber was killed. The other trucker suffered minor injuries. Barber leaves behind a wife of 20 years and three children. Morris' grandmother told Channel 2 her grandson has battled an alcohol problems for years.She said she could not apologize enough for the tragedy. Investigators say Morris tried to run from the scene, but was caught a short time later. Morris was sent to the Clayton County jail, charged with first-degree vehicular homicide, vehicular homicide by a habitual offender, driving while intoxicated, improper lane change and leaving the scene of an accident. Police say Morris has had previous traffic arrests in Clayton County, including two driving while intoxicated arrests. State records also show he has spent jail time for traffic offenses.

Interstate 675 southbound was closed for almost six hours while police investigated the accident.