Trucker Falls Asleep, Crashes On I-75

KENNESAW, GA — The driver of a tractor-trailer fell asleep while driving on Interstate 75 Monday morning, running his rig into a wall in a fiery crash, according to police.

Several lanes of I-75 North were shut down hours after Cobb County Police say the rig went through a sound wall and burst into flames. The crash happened at about 5:30 a.m. near Wade Green and Hickory Grove roads, police spokeswoman Sarah O'Hara said.

The driver, identified as John Thurston, 38, of Millen, "presumably fell asleep," according to O'Hara. The truck, which ended up on its side, crashed through a concrete barrier before striking the sound wall.

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Thurston was taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition, but his injuries were not believed to be life-threatening. His trailer was loaded with scrap metal, O'Hara said.

All lanes of the highway were shut down by police until about 8 a.m., when a single lane was opened.

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