One Dead in Smyrna Wreck

Cobb County Police officials are investigating a two-vehicle crash Thursday afternoon in Smyrna that killed a Buford resident.

According to a CCPD news release, the crash occurred at about 1:43 p.m. in Smyrna on the westbound Interstate 285 ramp to South Cobb Drive. The incident, according to authorities, saw a red and white 1998 Link Belt HTC8670 crane truck that was stopped in traffic struck in the rear by a black 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. After striking the truck, the Cruze rolled backwards down the ramp toward southbound traffic on I-285, coming to a stop after rolling down the embankment between the interstate and ramp.

The crash led to the death of the Cruze’s driver, 42-year-old Sylvester Johnson of Buford, who was transported by ambulance to Emory Adventist Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Three juvenile passengers in his vehicle were not injured in the crash.

The driver of the crane truck was identified as 37-year-old Brian D. Maddox of Dallas. Maddox did not sustain any injuries.

Investigators do not expect to file charges as a result of the crash, but ask anyone with information on it to call 770-499-3987.