One Dead, Three Severely Injured in Crash

A fatal crash occurred Thursday afternoon on South Gordon Road in Austell, leaving one man dead and three others severely injured including a 19 year old from Smyrna, according to the Cobb County Police Department.

Investigators said that the driver of a silver 1991 Saturn was traveling eastbound on South Gordon Road approaching Songwood Drive when the vehicle crossed the double yellow line and struck a concrete curb on the other side of the roadway.

After striking the curb, the car began to rotate while continuing to travel in an easterly direction, and struck a tree before coming to an uncontrolled rest in the front yard of a residence, according to Cobb police.

As a result of the collision, three occupants were ejected from the vehicle, including 25-year-old Michael Rogers of Atlanta, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

The other occupants, 18-year-old David Shepard Jr. of Austell, 19-year-old Najhel Fuller of Smyrna and 18-year-old Thomas Dawson of Atlanta, sustained serious injuries, said Cobb police spokesman Dana Pierce.

Because of the violent nature of the impact, it has not been determined where each of the four occupants were seated inside the car prior to the collision, said Pierce.

Shepard and Dawson were transported to the Atlanta Medical Center, while Fuller was transported to Grady Hospital.

Authorities believe that alcohol and speed may have been contributing factors in this traffic fatality crash. Anyone with information about it is asked to call 770-499-3910.