A Deadly Weekend on Metro Atlanta Interstates

Vazquez’s death was one of five fatal crashes on metro Atlanta interstates over that weekend, four of them inside the city of Atlanta, according to Atlanta News First. Three of the five people killed stood outside their vehicles when other drivers struck them.

About 90 minutes before the Cleveland Avenue crash, a man died running into traffic on the northbound Downtown Connector near University Avenue. Investigators believe he may have been experiencing a mental health crisis. The day before, on Saturday morning, 26-year-old Michaela Kemp died when a driver struck her on I-85 South near Ga. 400 after a fight spilled onto the interstate. Two others died in separate crashes — one in a single-vehicle wreck on I-20 that left the car on fire, and one when a vehicle struck a parked tractor-trailer near the I-75/I-575 interchange in Cobb County.

For families here in Fayette and Coweta counties, these are the same roads we take to the airport, to Grady, to work downtown. The stretch of I-75 near Cleveland Avenue is roughly 25 miles from Tyrone.

Why Roadside Breakdowns Are So Dangerous

A disabled vehicle turns an ordinary commute into one of the most dangerous situations on any highway. The person outside the car has no protection at all, and drivers approaching at 65 or 70 miles per hour — especially at 3:30 in the morning, in the dark — often fail to notice a stopped car on the shoulder until it is too late.

The numbers support this. Research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety , drawing on federal crash data, found that more than 2,100 people died outside disabled vehicles at the roadside between 2019 and 2023. Those victims include tow operators, police officers, EMS personnel, Good Samaritans who stopped to help, and motorists like Vazquez who simply got out of their own broken-down cars.

Frederick Huff, owner of Safety-N-Motion Driving School, spoke with Atlanta News First after the weekend’s crashes and offered advice traffic safety experts consistently give: if your car becomes disabled on an interstate, get it as far off the roadway as you safely can, then stay inside with your seat belt fastened and call for help. Stepping out of the vehicle — particularly onto the left shoulder, where there is often little room and traffic is moving fastest — is when people are most exposed.

It is important to clarify one common misunderstanding. Georgia’s Move Over law, O.C.G.A. § 40-6-16, requires drivers to change lanes or slow down for stationary emergency vehicles, tow trucks, highway maintenance vehicles, and utility trucks displaying flashing lights. However, the law does not extend the same protection to ordinary passenger cars that break down. Safety educators emphasize staying inside a disabled vehicle whenever possible to compensate for this gap.

What a Hit-and-Run Means for a Family

When a driver leaves the scene of a fatal crash, the harm compounds. The family loses not only a loved one but also the immediate answers about what happened and who is responsible. Georgia law requires drivers involved in crashes causing injury or death to stop, render aid, and provide identifying information; leaving the scene of a fatal crash is a felony.

Fleeing also complicates the civil side of things. In Georgia, certain family members can bring a wrongful death claim for the “full value of the life” of their loved one. The estate can separately pursue claims for medical expenses, funeral costs, and the decedent’s pain and suffering. Those claims ordinarily proceed against the at-fault driver and that driver’s liability insurance. When the police never identify the driver, families usually have to rely on uninsured motorist coverage under their own auto policies — coverage many Georgia drivers carry without realizing it can help in such situations. More on uninsured motorist coverage can be found at the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner.

None of this changes what happened on I-75 early Sunday morning. However, it underlines why identifying the driver who fled is important beyond the criminal case. The Atlanta Police Department’s ongoing investigation is worth following as they release more information.

Understanding the Risks — Why Staying Safe on the Roadside Matters

Roadside emergencies inherently pose danger, especially on high-speed interstates like I-75. As the tragic death of Jaquelin Telesforo Vazquez highlights, stepping out of a disabled vehicle can expose you to serious injury or worse. Traffic safety experts strongly advise that if your car breaks down, you should:

• Move your vehicle as far off the roadway as safely possible
• Stay inside the vehicle with your seatbelt fastened
• Call for roadside assistance or emergency help immediately

Educating yourself on how to handle such situations can save your life. Jaquelin’s loss serves as a solemn reminder to exercise extreme caution in roadside emergencies and to understand the limits of Georgia’s Move Over law.

For more roadside safety tips visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The Impact of Hit-and-Run Accidents on Families and Legal Options

When a driver flees the scene of a fatal crash, families endure overwhelming grief compounded by uncertainty and financial strain. Georgia law requires drivers involved in such crashes to stop and render aid; violating these rules is a felony. Beyond criminal liability, families may pursue wrongful death and related claims to seek justice and compensation.

If you or a loved one has faced a hit-and-run or wrongful death, understanding your rights is crucial—especially since identifying the at-fault driver often proves difficult. Our firm can help you navigate insurance claims, including uninsured motorist coverage, and fight for the compensation you deserve.