Fatal Crash Shuts Down Downtown Connector Near Arthur Langford Parkway in Atlanta

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A fatal crash early Monday morning shut down several lanes of the Downtown Connector near Arthur Langford Parkway (State Route 166), causing heavy delays across central Atlanta. According to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), the incident took place around 3:30 a.m. and forced authorities to close all northbound lanes on I-75/85 for nearly two hours.

Officials said the situation began when deputies attempted to stop a pickup truck on the highway. During the chase, officers performed a PIT maneuver, a controlled technique used to stop fleeing vehicles near the Arthur Langford Parkway exit.

After the vehicle stopped, a man reportedly jumped out of the pickup truck and ran onto the expressway. Police said the suspect was struck and killed by another vehicle passing through the area.

Emergency responders, including the Atlanta Police Department and Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, arrived at the scene shortly after. Authorities confirmed that the driver’s license had been suspended multiple times, and marijuana was recovered from inside the truck.

The crash led to a complete shutdown of all northbound lanes for several hours, with traffic being diverted at Exit 241 (Cleveland Avenue). Crews worked through the early morning to clear debris and reopen the highway. GDOT reported that lanes were fully reopened shortly before 6:00 a.m.

Commuters faced significant delays during the morning rush hour, with traffic backups extending several miles south of downtown Atlanta.

Authorities have not released the identity of the deceased man. The incident remains under investigation by the Georgia State Patrol and local law enforcement.

Officials have urged drivers to follow police instructions during highway stops and reminded the public of the dangers of fleeing on foot in active traffic zones.