A woman was killed early Monday when she was hit by a car and sent over the railing of an I-20 overpass near Fulton Industrial Boulevard in a grisly New Year's incident, officials said. The confirmed identity of the 43-year-old victim, Melody Cobun, follows a series of accidents on the highway during that chaotic morning. According to a report from FOX 5 Atlanta, Cobun was killed while her car was being loaded onto a tow truck.
The South Fulton Police Department indicated that the driver involved in the strike stayed at the scene and, along with a passenger, sustained minor injuries while the victim awaiting tow services was thrown to an untimely death, added by South Fulton Police, they are investigating, stressing the importance of being cautious around emergency scenes on highways. Lieutenant Jubal Rogers reinforced this in a statement: "I just have to stress the importance of making sure motorists move over for emergency vehicles and tow trucks" he told FOX 5 Atlanta. No charges have been brought forth as the probe goes on.
On the very same stretch of road that day two subsequent accidents resulted in substantial traffic impediments, a lane closure on I-20 east near Six Flags Parkway due to a 6:30 a.m. crash and a serious injury crash that had previously blocked the westbound lanes near Holmes Drive at 5:30 a.m, as per Hoodline reports.
In the aftermath of the various incidents, the Georgia Department of Transportation confirmed the reopening of all lanes near Holmes Drive, offering relief to morning commuters the guidance to take Highway 78 as an alternative earlier has likely proved beneficial – although details regarding causes and additional injuries have not been disclosed by the police. "We just want to urge all of the drivers to be vigilant," Lt. Rogers said, "Just be cognizant," the sentiment amid ongoing investigations and a community rocked by the sudden loss on its roads as detailed by local authorities to Fox 5 Atlanta.
