2 dead after Mercedes van crashes into tree that fell on Cobb County road, police say

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Police confirmed to Channel 2 Action News that two people have died after a tree fell on a Cobb County road.

The accident happened around 3 p.m. Wednesday on South Cobb Drive near Lake Circle. Investigators shut down the road for over two hours as they investigated the crash.

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Police told Channel 2 Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell that at least one person died. On Thursday morning, they confirmed that two people died from their injures.

The Cobb County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victims as 61-year-old Nicolay Boytchev and 46-year-old Alberto Alvarado Nicacio.

Police said the pair were riding in a 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van on South Cobb Drive in the right lane. A tree on the north shoulder fell into the path of the van and Boytchev couldn’t avoid the debris, according to investigators.

Police said their families have been notified.

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Severe Weather Team 2 has been tracking heavy rain expected to fall for several days, leading to a flood watch in effect through Saturday.

Severe Weather Team 2 Chief Meteorologist Brad Nitz says some areas could see between four and five inches of rain.

The heavy ran combined with saturated soil could cause more trees to fall.

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