Crash Kills One, Sends Two Others To Area Hospitals

A Lithia Springs man was killed early Saturday on I-20 West and Six Flags Drive in Austell early Saturday when he was struck by another motorist.

Cobb County police are still investigating 5:15 a.m. accident that ended up taking the life of Erik D. Abarca, 19.

Cobb County Police Sgt. Dana Pierce told South Cobb Patch investigators don't et know what caused Abarca to lose control.

According to witnesses and the preliminary investigation, police said Abarca, who was driving a maroon 1995 Chevrolet Blazer west on I-20, lost control of the vehicle.

The Chevy flipped over in the road and Abarca, who was traveling with a passenger, managed to get out.

He was standing next to his Blazer, police said, when Robert D. Martin, who was driving a silver 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser struck Abarca and the Blazer.

Abarca was pronounced dead at the scene.

Martin, a 32-year-old from Winston, was taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Abarca's passenger,20-year-old Luis G. Mares of Lithia Springs, had to be extricated from the Blazer by Cobb rescue personnel from
Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services. He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital in critical condition.

No charges have been filed at present, Pierce said.

Police say the crash remains under investigation and anyone with information about it is asked to call 770-499-3987.