Austell Man Dies in Accident

The Cobb County Police Department is investigating a two vehicle accident that took the life of an Austell man. 

At around 4:45 p.m. Saturday, March 22, the agency responded to an accident on Hillcrest Drive near Wilhelmina Drive in Austell. 

Preliminary reports indicate a blue 2011 Hyundai Sonata was traveling northbound on Hillcrest Drive in the southbound line while a tan 2001 Nissan Quest was traveling south in the southbound lane.

The driver of the Nissan, Bertin Vargas of Austell, 37, tried to steer left to avoid hitting the Hyundai, driven by William Cofield, 47 of Austell, who steered to the right to also avoid a collision. 

Both vehicles eventually collided in the northbound lane. Cofield was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital by ambulance, but died from injuries he sustained in the accident. 

Vargas, along with passenger Laura Vargas, 26, of Austell received non-life threatening injuries and were treated at Grady. Four children were also passengers in the Nissan Quest, and they sustained non-life threatening injuries. They were treated at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Cobb Police say no charges are expected to be filed from the accident.