Questions linger after center lane crash leaves Mableton mom dead

Following a deadly accident that closed traffic down on a busy South Cobb highway, the investigation continues into the collision that left a 33-year Mableton mom dead and another driver unharmed. Residents of Legacy at the River Line remain shaken by the fatal incident, which occurred just a few hundred yards from the front entry to the gated community located on Veterans Memorial Highway.

Authorities say that just before 9 AM on Friday January 22, Brittany Wingate, who was traveling west bound on Veterans Memorial Highway, drove her black Cadillac CTS head on into a 2017 Dodge Ram 5500 that was east bound on the highway. The accident occurred while both were using the middle turn lane, which is restricted for left turns only. The Dodge Ram driver told authorities that he parked in the center turning lane due to a mechanical issue. After the initial investigation, authorities suggested that Wingate drove her Cadillac at a higher speed than the posted 45 mile per hour speed limit. The collision left the Dodge Ram driver uninjured, while Wingate was pronounced dead at the scene.

Patrons of a nearby gym rushed to the scene to administer aid to Wingate, but she was already gone. Many in the community wondered if making a left turn out of the Legacy subdivision is what took Wingate into the center lane, while others have questioned why both vehicles were improperly using the middle turning lane at the point of impact.

Car accidents are the leading non-natural cause of death of people from 1 to 54 years of age. As in the case of this crash, even a 1% increase in speed, increases a chance of a deadly crash by 4%. Improper road usage is also a preventable leading cause of car accidents. The accident took place in the center turn lane. In Georgia it is illegal for a vehicle to drive more than three hundred feet in the center left turn lane. This lane should only be used for the purpose of making a left or right turn; according to the Georgia Code.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. With only a statement by the Dodge Ram truck driver, authorities need the help of other drivers who may have been in the area that witnessed the accident. Ms. Wingate cannot speak for herself, so her family needs the help of the community. If anyone witnessed the crash or have information that can assist authorities, you are asked to contact the Cobb County Police Department’s Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Unit at (770)-499-3987.

Wingate leaves behind a one-year-old child, Atlas Peréz. A GoFundMe has been set up for Atlas to receive donations from the community. If you want to help, please go to the following link: Go Fund Me for Crash Victims’ Son

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