The Cobb County Police Department’s Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Unit is investigating a fatality collision that occurred on I-20 eastbound east of Six Flags Parkway on Friday, September 20, 2019 at 9:17 a.m.  According to investigators, 33-year-old Joseph Nelson (of Powder Springs) was driving east on I-20 in a white 2010 Kia Forte east of Six Flags Parkway and was approaching the Chattahoochee River. A large commercial vehicle u-joint came over the concrete jersey wall from the westbound travel lanes and struck the windshield of the Kia. The u-joint traveled through the windshield and struck Mr. Nelson in the face killing him.

The Kia veered to the right and collided with the left rear corner of a grey 2007 Nissan Versa driven by 20-year-old Lanai Ware of Lithia Springs.  The collision caused the Nissan to spin counterclockwise and cross to the left and then strike the center concrete jersey barrier wall. After the collision with the jersey wall, the Nissan continued to rotate counterclockwise and came to a stop facing east.

The Nissan then traveled backwards in a westerly direction and collided with a stopped red 2015 Jeep Cherokee driven by 26-year-old Katie Grigorov of Douglasville.

The Kia continued across the eastbound travel lanes coming back to the left and collided with the concrete jersey wall east of the Nissan.  The collision with the wall kept the Kia travelling in an easterly direction.  The Kia continued east intermittently contacting the concrete wall.  The Kia came to a final uncontrolled rest against the concrete wall inside Fulton County facing east.

Mr. Nelson was pronounced deceased at the scene staff from the Cobb County Medical Examiner’s Office.  Ms. Ware was transported from the scene by Grady Ambulance Service to Grady Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.  Mrs. Grigorov did not sustain any injuries during the collision.

Mr. Nelson’s next of kin HAVE BEEN notified.  Investigators do not expect to file charges and the collision remains under investigation.  Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Cobb County Police Department STEP Unit at 770-499-3987.