Crime & Safety
Driver Charged In Crash That Killed Volunteer Alpharetta Firefighter
Mark E. Strow was assisting a stranded motorist on I-75 in Cobb County when he was hit by a car.
MARIETTA, GA -- The Cobb County Police Department has charged the driver of a vehicle that rear-ended a disabled vehicle, which caused the car to hit and kill an Alpharetta man who pulled over to assist the stranded motorists.
Jail records show Courtney Tiara McClellan of Kennesaw was booked into the facility on homicide by vehicle in the second degree, following too closely, driving without a licenses, speeding and seatbelt violation charges, all of which are misdemeanors, said Cobb police spokesperson Alicia Chilton.
The collision that killed 52-year-old Mark E. Strow of Alpharetta was reported around 4:34 a.m. May 29 on the northbound side of I-75 south of the Delk Road interchange in Marietta (SIGN UP: Get Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app).
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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 previously told Patch. "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."
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That pedestrian, identified as Strow, 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. McClellan, who was behind the wheel of the Cobalt, was transported by ambulance to WellStar Kennestone Hospital with minor injuries.
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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.
Image via Cobb County Sheriff's Office
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