Alpharetta Man Killed While Helping Stranded Motorist

MARIETTA, GA -- An Alpharetta man was killed early Monday morning while trying to help a motorist of a disabled vehicle along Interstate 75 in Cobb County.

Cobb County officers were dispatched to the scene of the fatality, which was reported around 4:34 a.m. May 29 on the northbound side just south of the Delk Road interchange in Marietta.

A preliminary report from Cobb County police indicates the driver of a blue 2000 Ford Explorer stopped his vehicle behind a black Chevrolet Impala, which was disabled in the third lane from the right emergency shoulder.

"After activating a set of white strobe lights he had on his truck, the male pedestrian got out and put on a reflective traffic vest," Cobb police said. "Moments after doing so, the driver of a purple 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt struck the rear of the Ford, causing it to collide with the pedestrian."

That pedestrian, identified as 52-year-old Mark E. Strow of Alpharetta, was pronounced dead at the scene, Cobb police note. The driver of the Impala, Cartersville resident Elvis James Jr., 36, was not injured in the collision.

The woman behind the wheel of the Cobalt, 22-year-old Courtney T. McClellan of Kennesaw, was transported by ambulance to WellStar Kennestone Hospital with minor injuries.

The Alpharetta Department of Public Safety said Strow was a member of its Fire Corps Volunteer family, and gave "countless hours" to support the department and community. He was also an active member of the Georgia State Defense Force.

"His dedication to others is simply overwhelming and he will be dearly missed," the local agency said.

Cobb police expect charges to be filed in the crash, and anyone with information is asked to call investigators at (770) 499-3987.

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