Police: Two Dead After Speeding Car Hits Tree

SNELLVILLE, GA -- Two men were killed in Gwinnett County early Monday when their car, which police say was speeding, flew off of the road and struck a tree.

Tahir Thomas, 42, of Decatur, and Gerald McDonald, 52, of Snellville, died at the scene of the crash, which police say tore Thomas's Nissan Altima in half.

Gwinnett County Police were called to the scene, on Mink Livsey Road in unincorporated Snellville, just north of the Gwinnett County line, shortly before 2 a.m. Monday.

Thomas was traveling north on Mink Livsey Road and had just crossed the county line when his car went off of the road onto the right shoulder. The Altima rotated counter-clockwise and struck a large tree next to the driveway of a residence there, police said.

According to police, the car split into two pieces. The front half continued traveling while the rear became wedged between several large trees. Thomas was ejected from the car and both men died as a result of their injuries.

Investigators believe excessive speed was a factor in the fatal wreck.

"People often take unnecessary risks when they are running late for work, school, appointments, curfew, etc.," Gwinnett County Police spokeswoman Cpl. Michele Pihera said in a written statement. "No destination or prior obligation is worth a person’s life.

"Call your employer, school, doctor, parent, spouse, or whoever is expecting you. Tell them that you are running behind. They’d rather receive a phone call from you about being tardy rather than a phone call from a police officer giving notification."