Fatal crash on I-75/85 Connector shuts down several NB lanes

ATLANTA — Police are investigating a fatal crash that shut down several lanes on I-75/I-85 northbound near the 17th Street bridge.

The crash backed up traffic for miles, witnesses said about the accident, which happened Saturday about 3 p.m.

So far, Atlanta police have not released much information, but Channel 2's Liz Artz was told an older-model white SUV flipped on its side. Three occupants of a vehicle were ejected and one of them died, said APD spokeswoman officer Kim Jones.

"Pretty gruesome. We just saw them put a body in the back of the medical examiner's van," one driver said.

David Dweyer's truck overheated whiled sitting in gridlock.

"We got on at Freedom Parkway and it was already locked up. Traffic was not moving," he said.

Sandy Woodward was driving through Atlanta on her way to South Carolina. Her car also overheated sitting in the mess.

"I knew it was bad because there were five fire trucks and probably six or eight ambulances," she said.

Witnesses were ushered to the side of the interstate while traffic investigators and a medical examiner went to work.

Within an hour, Atlanta police had two northbound lanes open. All lanes were reopened about 6 p.m.

Police are suspending their investigation due to the weather.

WSBTV