A tragic start to the New Year unfolded when a woman was struck by a car and resulted in her death after being hurled off an overpass on I-20 in Fulton County, authorities said. The fatal incident occurred around 4:45 a.m. near the exit for Fulton Industrial Boulevard, where the victim was waiting as her car was being readied for towing, as reported by Atlanta News First.
Lanes were temporarily shut down on the eastbound side of the interstate following the accident, causing traffic to snarl before it was cleared later, the Georgia Department of Transportation confirmed. The police, still piecing together the circumstances that led to the woman being hit and subsequently thrown from the overpass, have yet to release further details. According to the same outlet, the South Fulton Police Department's Traffic Unit is handling the ongoing investigation.
In a related roadway incident, a 6:30 a.m. crash significantly disrupted the flow of traffic on I-20 eastbound near Six Flags Parkway. Details on whether this crash resulted in injuries or what caused it have not been furnished by the police. Following the incident, all lanes were reported reopened on I-20WB near Holmes Drive, as FOX 5 Atlanta conveyed.
Earlier that morning, at 5:30 a.m., a serious injury crash was reported on Interstate 20 westbound near Holmes Drive. While the accident resulted in heavy delays due to all lanes being blocked at the time, they have since been reopened. Commuters were advised at the time to opt for Highway 78 as police addressed the chaotic scene, the guidance likely proving beneficial for those traveling early on the first day of the year.
