UPDATE: Truck Driver Who Died in Scenic Highway Accident Identified

Gwinnett County Police say a tractor trailer lost control and crashed into a strip mall at 1195 Scenic Highway Wednesday morning. 

At about 10:15 a.m., the driver was headed northbound on Scenic Highway in Lawrenceville just north of Essex Drive, according to GCPD Cpl. Edwin Ritter.

The driver was pronounced dead. He has been identified by GCPD as 66-year- old Donald Samples of Snellville. He died on scene as a result of the injuries sustained in the collision. It is unknown at this time if the driver suffered a medical condition that contributed to the accident. Alcohol and drugs do not appear to be contributing causes at this time, police say. No one else was injured.

It could have been a lot worse -- less than 100 feet away, Vince Davis was teaching 22 kids how to spar. 

Davis, owner of Davis Karate, said the tractor trailer started swerving on Scenic Highway and in the parking lot. He was teaching class when, out of the corner of his eye he saw a flash of mulch flying in the air, tree leaves, and what "literally looked like a tornado."

"I ran outside and looked, and the truck had already hit the store," he said. He and his brother ran over to help, but the truck was lodged in the building. 

(See the attached video of Davis as he describes what happened this morning.)

Shops at 1195 include Nu 2 U Upscale Thrift Shop as well as Global Karate and Lavender Asian Bistro.