Police identify victim of bridge plummet
Police have identified the man who died when his pickup truck careened off a bridge at Akers Mill Road onto Interstate 75 on Monday afternoon.
Dennis Farve, 33, of Dallas, Georgia, was pronounced dead at the scene, where his gray 2007 Chevrolet Silverado sat upright on its destroyed front end after smashing through a concrete barrier and fence and falling an estimated 35 feet from the bridge.
No other injuries were reported.
Investigators say Favre was traveling north on I-75 when “for reasons unknown,” he exited the highway onto the Akers Mill Road HOV ramp.
“The Chevrolet continued up the ramp at a high rate of speed, traveled through the intersection and collided with the concrete barrier on the north side of the intersection. The barrier was unable to contain the Chevrolet and it continued off the ramp and came to an uncontrolled rest in the gore area of Interstate 75, just north of Akers Mill Road,” said Officer Sydney Melton, spokesperson for the Cobb Police Department.
The aftermath of the wreck was widespread. Multiple police cars and fire trucks surrounded the twisted wreckage, lights flashing. Passersby could be seen veering into other lanes as they slowed to catch a glimpse as GDOT workers inspected the hole in the barrier above.
Natalie Dale, spokesperson for the Georgia Department of Transportation, said the HOV lane has cautionary signs warning of a 35 mph speed limit, as well as signs warning of a signal ahead.
The crash temporarily closed three southbound left lanes.
The collision remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Cobb County Police Department at 770499-3987, Melton said.