Man Steps Into The Path of Eighteen Wheeler Truck

It appears that a man intentionally stepped into the path of an eighteen-wheeler truck on Highway 41 Wednesday evening.  According to reports from the Georgia State Patrol, the accident occurred just before 7 p.m. in the right lane of the highway.  The pedestrian, 28-year-old Michael Thomas Outlaw of Womack Drive was standing on the shoulder of the road a few feet north of Womack Drive. The report states that Outlaw ran west into Highway 41.  The front left of a truck struck the pedestrian. The area of impact occurred in the right northbound lane of the highway.  The truck came to a final controlled rest in the turning lane of a vehicle lot approximately 300 feet north of the collision. Outlaw came to a final uncontrolled rest partially on the shoulder and partially in the right northbound lane of the road.  The report states that manner of this collision was determined by vehicle damage, driver statements, witness statements, and video evidence. The truck driver said he was traveling north in the right lane when  Outlaw began to run into his lane. He said he was unable to stop or swerve to prevent the accident. A witness said he had observed Outlaw pacing back and forth for about three days standing on Womack Drive. He further said that Outlaw was watching traffic coming north on Highway 41. He said he witnessed Outlaw run into traffic and collide with the truck.  A second witness said was traveling in front of the truck and saw Outlaw standing near Womack Road. He further stated that the pedestrian was watching traffic northbound. He then stated after he had passed he looked back in his mirror and observed him be struck by the truck.  A third witness said he was approximately 40 yards behind the truck traveling at the same rate of speed.  He said they were both traveling below the speed limit due to traffic congestion. He stated he then observed Outlaw run from the east side of the highway and collide with the truck.  Video evidence shows the pedestrian running from the east side of the highway directly into the path of the truck.