Traffic on Interstate 75 in Bartow County turned into a standstill Thursday night after a pedestrian was struck and killed while trying to cross the northbound lanes near the Canton Highway exit. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, and troopers shut down all northbound lanes for several hours while they investigated.
What troopers said
According to Atlanta News First, the Georgia State Patrol said the pedestrian entered the northbound lanes of I-75 and was hit by a tractor-trailer traveling in the center lane. Officials have not yet released the victim's name or any information about the truck driver.
When and where responders arrived
As reported by WSB‑TV, troopers and commercial vehicle enforcement units were dispatched around 8:03 p.m. to mile marker 290 northbound, just north of Exit 290 near Cartersville. The station said the tractor-trailer hit the pedestrian in the middle lane and that emergency crews stayed on scene well into the night.
Traffic and detours
According to FOX 5 Atlanta, the Georgia Department of Transportation reported that all northbound lanes were closed and traffic was being diverted off at Canton Highway onto U.S. 41 North, creating backups that stretched into Cobb County. Crews worked for hours to clear the crash site and reopen the interstate.
Why interstates are so dangerous for pedestrians
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 7,314 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in 2023, with a pedestrian death occurring about every 72 minutes that year. Safety experts point out that high vehicle speeds, limited sight lines and the sheer size of commercial trucks make attempts to cross interstate highways outside designated areas especially deadly.
The Georgia State Patrol is still investigating the collision and has asked anyone with information to contact GSP or local law enforcement. No charges or additional details had been released as of the latest reports, according to Atlanta News First.
