Two people were injured, one seriously, at the dangerous I-75 and I-285 interchange
According to a public media release from the Cobb County Police Department, the department’s Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP Unit) is investigating a recent serious crash that occurred on the notorious sharp intersection between I-285 East and I-75 North, within Cobb County.
The incident occurred on Sunday, September 17, 2023, at approximately 8:00 am
According to preliminary reports from the ongoing investigation, a gray 2003 Dodge Ram driven by a 59-year-old Alabama man was traveling eastbound on I-285.
The Dodge Ram was approaching the infamous “bad curve” ramp that leads onto I-75 North. At the same time, an unoccupied 2017 Ram 5500 and a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado were parked on the right shoulder of the ramp.
The Dodge Ram failed to negotiate a dangerous curve due to what investigators described as excessive speed.
As a result, the vehicle began to rotate counterclockwise, but overcorrected, causing it to rotate clockwise. While spinning out of control, the Dodge Ram struck 36-year-old Shengnang Andrew and 23-year-old Giovanni Balcazar, who were on the shoulder, before crashing into the wreckage.
Andrew and Balcazar were transported to Wellstar Kinston Hospital. Andrew suffered a serious injury, while Balcazar’s condition is stable.
The Dodge Ram driver refused treatment.
(The Cobb County Courier has a policy of withholding or redacting the name of suspects unless the person has been convicted in a court of law or pleads guilty. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty, and the Internet has no effective means of removing arrest reports if a person is acquitted. We make exceptions in high-profile cases Or charges against public officials where the acquittal is likely to be as widely publicized as the initial arrest
We also withhold names in traffic accidents when it is uncertain whether charges will be filed.)
Step unit
In articles about fatal or serious injury accidents, you will often see references to the Cobb County STEP Unit.
The STEP Unit, which investigates serious or fatal traffic accidents, is a special operations unit of the Cobb County Police Department, and is described on the Cobb County Police Department web page as follows:
“The Selective Traffic Enforcement Unit is responsible for investigating all fatal traffic accidents, and enforcing traffic laws in those areas where analysis indicates a high number of accidents.
“They are also responsible for managing and implementing the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program.
“They also participate in special security details and investigate incidents involving department vehicles when requested.”
The unit is commanded by Lieutenant Len Johnson.
