Crime & Safety

2 Killed in 8-Vehicle Crash on Interstate 75 in Cobb

The crash happened as traffic in the northbound lanes was slowing or stopping due to a construction zone in the area.

Updated 4:30 p.m. Friday: Cobb police have now identified the driver of the BMW as 47-year-old Gregory Alan Millsaps of Marietta.

Original story

The Cobb County Police Department’s Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Unit is investigating a double fatality crash, which occurred on Interstate 75 in Cobb County, according to a press release.

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According to investigators and witness information from the crash scene—just north of the Hickory Grove Road overpass in Acworth—as traffic in the northbound lanes of the interstate was slowing or stopping due to a construction zone in the area, the driver of a white 2005 Volvo semi tractor-trailer struck the back of a black 2006 BMW X5. 

As a result of that collision, the BMW was knocked forward and into the rear of a white 2011 Chrysler Town and Country minivan. As all three vehicles continued their forward momentum, they collided with a green 2004 International semi-tractor-flatbed trailer, a black 2008 Honda Ridgeline, a black 2012 Chevrolet Cruze, a red 2001 Ford Taurus and a black 2013 Chevrolet Cruze.

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As a result of the eight-vehicle crash, which spread across four travel lanes and two emergency lanes, the driver of the BMW died when his vehicle became fully involved with fire.  Although the Cobb County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the deceased male driver, they are waiting for dental records to officially confirm his identity, police say.

The driver of the Chrysler has been identified as 38-year-old Jonathan Phenicie of Cumming. He and his father and rear seat passenger, identified as 72-year-old Dale Phenicie of Peachtree City were transported by ambulance to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, where they were treated for non life-threatening injuries.  

The front seat passenger and wife of Dale Phenicie, 71-year-old Barbara Phenicie, also of Peachtree City, was pronounced deceased upon her arrival at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital.

Police have identified the driver of the International as 46-year old Jose Pereira of Kennesaw, who did not require any medical attention. Neither did his passenger, 34-year-old Jason Brown of Acworth.

The driver of the Honda, 63-year-old Eddie Courtney Jr. of Kennesaw, was transported by ambulance to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, where he was treated for non life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the red 2001 Ford Taurus, 27-year-old Albert Horne of Austell also was transported by ambulance to Kennestone Hospital and treated for non life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the black 2012 Chevrolet Cruze, 26-year-old Matthew Page of Bryceville, FL, did not require any medical attention.

The driver of the black 2013 Chevrolet Cruze, 37-year-old Samuel Buchanan of Burns, TN, also did not require any medical attention.

The driver of the white 2005 Volvo tractor-trailer, who allegedly initiated the chain of events, 40-year-old Vahid Husic of Lawrenceville, was taken to Kennestone and treated for non life-threatening injuries.

The double-fatality collision remains under investigation and anyone with information about it is asked to call 770-499-3987.


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