Seven people were injured in a two-vehicle crash that ended up in the arrest of one of those people.
A silver 2014 Ford F-350 Super Duty and a white 2005 Ford Expedition were traveling northbound on I-75 near exit 278 (Glade Rd) on a rainy night on February 10th at 6:52 p.m. The truck was in the left lane. The SUV was in the center lane. The driver of the truck, 31-year-old Andrew McMichen, made an unsafe lane change and followed too close. The front right of the truck struck the rear of the SUV in the roadway. The SUV traveled off the right side of the roadway. The front left of the SUV struck an embankment, and came to rest off the roadway facing north. The truck traveled off the left shoulder, then back towards the right shoulder, before overturning onto its left side, and sliding. The truck came to rest in the right lane on its left side. The area of impact was determined by tire marks, debris, and witness statements.
McMichen fled the scene on foot after the crash. Three witnesses gave a description of McMichen. One witness stated that he was driving in the right lane when the truck traveled passed him at a high rate of speed. He stated that the truck made a sudden lane change, and struck the rear of the SUV. He stated that he assisted McMichen out of the truck and told him help was on the way. He stated that he walked away to help the occupants of the SUV. He stated that as he was helping the SUV, McMichen fled the scene on foot. The other two witnesses stated that they got out to help, and saw McMichen sitting by his truck prior to him fleeing.
A fourth person stated that he had dash camera video of the truck driving prior to the crash. He stated that he did not observe the crash, but it appeared as though McMichen was intoxicated, based on the reckless driving captured on his camera.
The SUV contained six people. Four of them sustained minor injuries. A 19-year-old man and a 12-year-old girl who were sitting in the back row, sustained serious injuries. According to the report, the 12-year-old girl was not wearing a seat belt. All six of them were taken to Kennestone Hospital by Metro EMS.
McMichen was the sole occupant of his truck and sustained minor injuries. The investigating trooper attempted to contact McMichen through multiple outlets, but was unsuccessful. On February 12th, McMichen contacted the investigating trooper and turned himself in. He admitted to being the driver.
McMichen was charged with improper lane change, following too closely, driving too fast for conditions, driving without exercising due care, hit and run, failure to report an accident resulting in injury, reckless driving, serious injury by vehicle, and failure to wear a seat safety belt. He was released on Thursday morning on a $7,925 bond.