The Cobb County Police Department’s Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Unit is investigating a fatal vehicle collision that occurred on East West Connector east of Concord Road on January 2, 2019 at 9:42 p.m.

Per investigators 66-year-old Carol Godard of Smyrna was driving east on East West Connector east of the Concord Road overpass in a blue 2000 Saturn SL2. 79-year-old Margaret Elson of Smyrna was a passenger in the car.

Coming from the other direction, westbound on East West Connector, were two other vehicles: a blue 2012 Nissan Altima being driven by 37-year-old Autumn Wilson of Austell, in the right lane; and a blue 2019 Honda Civic being driven by 18-year-old Matilla Charles of Marietta, in the left lane.

The Saturn (driven by Carol Godard) failed to maintain lane and crossed over the center median, colliding headfirst into the Nissan Altima. The impact forced the Nissan into a northwesterly direction and it came to an uncontrolled rest on the northern grass shoulder on the East West Connector.

The collision caused the Saturn to rotate in a counter clockwise manner, and it then collided with right side of the Honda Civic. The Saturn then came to a final uncontrolled rest in the westbound lanes of the East West Connector facing in a northeasterly direction. The Honda came to a controlled rest in the left westbound lane still oriented in a westerly direction.

Both occupants (Godard and Elson) of the Saturn died at the scene of the collision due to their injuries. Nest of kin have been notified.

The two other drivers (Wilson and Charles) were transported to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital with minor injuries.

This collision remains under investigation and anyone with any information is asked to contact the Cobb County Police Department’s STEP Unit at 770-499-3987.

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