SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The family of the man killed in the horrific Interstate 285 crash said they hope the accident sends a strong message about the importance of wearing seat belts.
Channel 2's Audrey Washington covered the crash near the Chattahoochee River Bridge in Sandy Springs on June 27.
Sandy Springs police said 33-year-old Derrien O’Neal and his passenger, 31-year-old Sydni Hackett, were killed when the car, O’Neal was driving slammed into the back of a tractor trailer.
Neither were wearing seat belts, police said.
“There’s no indication of alcohol being involved. It’s very preliminary in the investigation and we don’t have any evidence of the driver being impaired,” said Capt. Forrest Bohannon with the Sandy Springs Police Department.
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O’Neal’s family said though they are heartbroken, they hope the accident will remind people to always wear their seat belts.
“Everybody out there be safe, stay safe. Families can’t go through tragedies like what we’re going through,” said O’Neal’s niece Breyanna Harris.
O’Neal leaves behind three young children.
“He was kind he was caring. He took care of his kids and he took care of us. He was just always there," Harris said.
Click HERE for information on how to donate to the victim's funeral.
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