An Atlanta police officer has been involved in a collision that led to the closure of all lanes on Interstate 85 south close to the city's bustling airport, authorities said. As reported by FOX 5 Atlanta, the incident occurred Saturday night near Cleveland Avenue, provoking a traffic snarl and prompting an investigation by local law enforcement officials.
While details of the crash remain scant, officials from the Georgia Department of Transportation were quick to shut down the thoroughfare, a vital artery for commuters and travelers alike. The Atlanta Police Department did confirm that the officer involved was alert, conscious, and breathing after the accident but, did not disclose the nature of the crash or whether there were any other parties involved. The timeline for reopening the lanes was also not immediately clear.
The location of the crash, mere miles north of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, underscores the potential for widespread disruption caused by such an event. As 11Alive reported, the incident took place on the southbound lanes, a section of the freeway that ferries a significant number of vehicles daily. As of this writing, it remains uncertain how many vehicles were involved in the wreck and if there are any additional injuries.
Authorities are calling on motorists to seek alternative routes and have promised updates as more information becomes available. The Atlanta Police Department has described the situation as an "active investigation," indicating that determining the precise cause of the crash may take time. In the meantime, the affected stretch of I-85 remains a scene of vigilance, as emergency services and traffic management teams work to restore normalcy. However, a timeline for when lanes might reopen, has yet to be communicated to the public.
