Man Jumps Out Of Car, is Killed By Tractor-Trailer On I-75 In Cobb

KENNESAW, GA -- A deadly crash that took the life of a pedestrian early Friday occurred when a man jumped out of a moving vehicle on Interstate 75 in Cobb County, Patch has learned. The accident temporarily shut down the southbound lanes of I-75, authorities said.

Investigators said that the driver of a silver Acura TL was traveling southbound on I-75 when -- for still reasons unknown at this time -- his passenger (and cousin) "opened the passenger side door and jumped out of the automobile, while traveling at interstate speed, " Cobb police spokesman Sgt. Dana Pierce said in a news release.

The victim has been identified as Duane Taffe, 40, of Decatur. (SIGN UP: For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. Or if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.)

The driver of the car has been identified as 39-year-old Sheldon Taffe. When he pulled over to get his cousin on his feet, Duane broke away from him and ran into the roadway, Pierce said.

"Within moments of doing so, the driver of a blue 2017 Freightliner tractor/trailer identified as 56 year old Andrew S. Morrell of Port Charlotte, Florida struck Duane Taffe while attempting to avoid him," Pierce said.

Authorities received a call about the deadly crash about 4:05 a.m., he said. Duane Taffe was declared dead at the scene.

* This story has been updated to state that Duane Taffe is from Decatur, Georgia.

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