Public Safety

Driver dies after striking concrete barrier in Cobb County

By East Cobb Beacon staff · October 29, 2026 · 1 min read

Crumpled blue sedan pressed against a concrete road barrier at night. — A sedan rests against a concrete highway barrier on a dark urban road. AI-generated illustration / Surround Sound Media

A driver died at a hospital after his car struck a concrete barrier near Cumberland Boulevard and Akers Mill Road early Wednesday, Oct. 28, Cobb County police said.

The crash happened around 2:01 a.m. Investigators believe speed contributed, WSB-TV reported.

Police said the man was driving a blue 2014 Toyota Corolla east on Akers Mill Road and attempted to turn right onto Cumberland Boulevard. Instead, the car traveled through the intersection and hit the barrier.

Emergency personnel took the driver to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital with life-threatening injuries. He was later pronounced dead.

Authorities withheld his name because his next of kin had not been notified when police released their statement.

The department’s Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Unit is investigating. Anyone with information can call 770-499-3987.

More local news

Brick exterior of a high school building with entrance canopy and theater wing.

Education

East Cobb teachers honored at countywide pep rally

More than 130 Cobb County and Marietta educators were celebrated at the 35th annual "Give Our Schools a Hand" pep rally Oct. 28, including Teachers of the Year from Walton, Pope, Lassiter and Wheeler high schools.

October 29, 2026 · 1 min read

A player in purple spikes the ball over the net as red-uniformed players jump to block.

Sports

North Forsyth comeback ends Walton’s title defense

Walton's volleyball season ended Wednesday after the defending Class 6A state champions blew a 2-0 lead and lost to North Forsyth in five sets at the GHSA Class 7A state semifinals in Emerson.

October 29, 2026 · 1 min read

A lit flashlight and candy bucket with reflective tape on a sidewalk at dusk.

Public Safety

Halloween traffic forecast prompts pedestrian safety reminders

The Georgia Department of Transportation expects heavy traffic on Roswell Road and Cobb Parkway on Halloween, with peak congestion between 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday, and warns that the end of Daylight Saving Time on Sunday will reduce visibility for pedestrians.

October 28, 2026 · 2 min read

A white privacy voting booth labeled VOTE on a table at a polling place.

Local Government

Cobb Chamber hosts bipartisan election panel Friday

The Cobb Chamber of Commerce hosts a bipartisan election-confidence forum Friday featuring Obama and Bush-era election lawyers alongside Georgia's elections director, days before the Nov. 3 election and as DOJ monitors prepare to deploy to Cobb County.

October 28, 2026 · 2 min read

A volleyball sitting on a hardwood floor beside a volleyball net post.

Sports

Woodward sweeps Pope in Class 6A semifinals

Pope volleyball's season ended with a 3-0 sweep loss to Woodward Academy in the GHSA Class AAAAAA state semifinals on Oct. 27, the second straight year the War Eagles eliminated the Greyhounds at this stage.

October 28, 2026 · 1 min read

Audience seated in rows facing a raised government dais with an American flag and county seal.

Local Government

Cobb backyard housing proposal’s status awaits confirmation

Cobb County's proposed zoning amendments allowing backyard accessory dwelling units up to 850 square feet in unincorporated neighborhoods were withdrawn at the Oct. 27 Board of Commissioners meeting, marking the second time in two years the county has pulled back ADU-related changes.

October 28, 2026 · 2 min read

Cameron Joyce

News Producer

Cameron is a Rhode Island native and graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in News Media in 2026. He previously worked as a beat writer for Alabama volleyball and baseball for "The Crimson White" and a pro sports writer for Ball Exclusives.