Fatal crash on I-75 near Red Top Mountain Road ends police chase

Interstate 75 closure in Bartow County

All lanes of Interstate 75 were closed early Thursday morning in Bartow County near Red Top Mountain due to a crash. This is breaking news.

BARTOW COUNTY, Ga. - A 40-year-old Woodstock man was killed early Thursday morning after a police chase ended in a crash on Interstate 75.

What we know:

According to the Georgia State Patrol, the incident began shortly after 3 a.m. when a trooper responded to a vehicle crash on I-75 northbound near mile marker 285, close to the Red Top Mountain Road exit.

Investigators say a Land Rover SUV, driven by Benjamin Alstoft, was fleeing from a marked Cobb County Police Department patrol vehicle that had its lights and siren activated. 

During the pursuit, the Cobb officer performed a P.I.T. maneuver, causing the SUV to lose control.

The Land Rover traveled through the interstate median and struck a cable barrier before overturning and crossing into the southbound lanes. 

Alstoft was ejected from the SUV and died at the scene from his injuries.

The road was closed for several hours, but reopened shortly after 8 a.m. Southbound drivers were diverted off the interstate at Highway 113, with backups stretching to Canton Highway. Northbound traffic was delayed as far back as Old Allatoona Road, though vehicles were still able to pass through. 

What we don't know:

It was not clear why the Cobb County Police Department was pursuing Alstoft.