Cobb County, GA (February 13, 2026) – A serious crash involving a Cobb County police cruiser shut down Interstate 575 South for more than two hours Friday morning near Chastain Rd before the roadway reopened.
The collision occurred on February 13 along I-575 near the Chastain Rd exit. Video from the scene showed a Cobb County patrol vehicle with its airbags deployed and a second vehicle resting on its side. Both vehicles came to a stop against the center guardrail.
According to police, Officer Zelaya-Cruz was traveling in the right lane while 60-year-old Robert Morales was in the left lane. Authorities said that when the officer attempted to change lanes, Morales allegedly did not yield and struck the patrol vehicle. Officials added that the officer had activated blue lights while investigating another crash at the time of the incident.
Emergency crews responded and transported both Zelaya-Cruz and Morales to Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center with minor injuries. Two flatbed trucks were used to remove the damaged vehicles from the interstate. During the closure, drivers were diverted off I-575 South onto Chastain Rd, and traffic was temporarily directed the opposite way on the on-ramp to ease congestion.
Key Details
- Location: I-575 SB near Chastain Rd, Cobb County
- Reported: Friday, February 13
- Type: Injury crash involving a police cruiser
- Vehicles: Cobb County patrol car and passenger vehicle
- Injuries: Two people were transported with minor injuries
- Impact: Interstate closed for over two hours
What We Know So Far
- The crash occurred while the officer was investigating a separate incident with blue lights activated.
- Both vehicles came to rest against the center guardrail, with one vehicle overturned.
- Drivers were diverted onto Chastain Rd during the extended closure.
- The roadway later reopened after vehicles were removed.
What’s Not Yet Confirmed
- Whether any citations will be issued.
- If additional contributing factors played a role.
- The full timeline of events leading up to the collision.
Local Context
I-575 serves as a key north-south corridor through Cobb County, carrying commuters between suburban communities and connections to I-75. The stretch near Chastain Rd often experiences steady traffic, particularly during morning travel periods. When a crash occurs along this freeway segment, especially one involving an emergency vehicle with blue lights activated, responders must carefully manage both the immediate crash zone and approaching traffic to prevent secondary collisions. In this case, southbound drivers were rerouted onto Chastain Rd, and traffic patterns on the on-ramp were temporarily reversed to maintain flow while crews cleared the damaged patrol car and the overturned vehicle.
What to Do Next
- If you were involved, move to a safe location if possible and check for injuries. Call 911 if anyone needs medical attention.
- If your vehicle cannot be moved safely, stay inside with your seatbelt on until help arrives, especially on busy roads.
- Request the incident or report number from responding officers if one is provided.
- Check traffic advisories before traveling through the area, as delays can develop quickly.
FAQ
Q: Why are details sometimes limited right after a crash?
A: Initial information is often preliminary as officers focus on securing the scene and assisting those involved. More complete details are typically released after investigators review evidence.
Q: Why are freeway crashes considered especially hazardous?
A: Freeway crashes can involve higher speeds and multiple lanes of traffic, increasing the risk of additional collisions and requiring careful traffic control.
Q: Why might lanes remain blocked after injured people are helped?
A: Even after medical care is provided, crews may need time to remove damaged vehicles, document the scene, and ensure the roadway is safe before reopening all lanes.
