2 Dead After Papa John's Semi Truck Crashes, Overturns on I-75

Accident shuts down interstate for hours in Cobb County, Georgia

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:37pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up of a cracked and damaged semi-truck headlight lens, capturing the harsh, sudden, and gritty aftermath of a fatal commercial vehicle collision.The aftermath of a deadly semi-truck crash on I-75 exposes the grim realities of commercial trucking accidents.Acworth Today

Two people were killed when a Papa John's semi-truck crashed and overturned on Interstate 75 in Acworth, Georgia, shutting down the highway for several hours. The accident involved three vehicles, including two tractor-trailers and a pickup truck, and occurred around 8:45 a.m. near the Wade Green Road and Hickory Grove Road exits.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the dangers of commercial trucking accidents on major highways, which can have devastating consequences for both drivers and nearby residents. The crash also disrupted traffic flow on a crucial interstate artery in the Atlanta metro area, underscoring the broader impact of such incidents.

The details

According to investigators, a red 2023 Freightliner Cascadia tractor-trailer was traveling northbound in the right lane when the driver failed to maintain their lane and struck another Freightliner traveling beside it. This caused a chain-reaction crash, with the first truck moving back toward the right lane and a Ram 3500 pickup behind it crashing into the rear of the trailer. The tractor-trailer then continued to lose control, eventually overturning and crashing into a sound barrier wall.

  • The crash occurred around 8:45 a.m. on April 3, 2026.

The players

Zory Beavers

The 28-year-old driver of the overturned Papa John's tractor-trailer who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Royan Osborne

The 42-year-old passenger in the overturned Papa John's tractor-trailer who was also pronounced dead at the scene.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'I felt it tremble actually through the house, that's how I knew something big happened. The tractor-trailer actually flipped and hit the retaining wall.'”

— Daniel Martinez, Neighbor

“The safety of team members and the communities we serve is a top priority. We are actively cooperating with local authorities as they work to determine the circumstances of the incident and assess any impact. Our thoughts are with all those who may be affected, and we will continue to support the investigation as it moves forward.”

— Papa John's Spokesperson

What’s next

Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash and determine if any charges will be filed against the drivers involved.

The takeaway

This tragic accident on I-75 in Cobb County highlights the need for heightened safety measures and oversight in the commercial trucking industry to prevent similar devastating incidents that can impact both drivers and nearby residents.