57-year-old killed in overnight I-75 crash was driving wrong way, GSP says

Mark Polk, 57, turned onto I-75 South and started driving north, leading to a fatal collision with a tractor-trailer.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 11:07pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered car windshield or headlight lens, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conveying the stark, gritty aftermath of a fatal wrong-way driving crash.A shattered remnant of a vehicle involved in a fatal wrong-way driving collision on a Georgia highway exposes the grim aftermath of such tragic accidents.Macon Today

According to the Georgia State Patrol (GSP), a 57-year-old man named Mark Polk was driving a Chevrolet Silverado the wrong way on I-75 near Sardis Church Road in Macon, Georgia, when he collided head-on with a tractor-trailer. Polk was pronounced dead at the scene around 1:30 a.m. on Friday.

Why it matters

Wrong-way driving crashes on highways are a serious safety issue, often resulting in head-on collisions that lead to devastating injuries and fatalities. This incident highlights the need for increased awareness, signage, and potential technological solutions to prevent such tragic accidents.

The details

According to the GSP, Polk turned onto I-75 South and began driving northbound in the southbound lanes. A tractor-trailer driver in the far left lane of I-75 South saw Polk driving the wrong way and attempted to avoid the collision, but was unable to do so. The front of the tractor-trailer crashed into the front of Polk's Silverado, resulting in Polk's death at the scene.

  • The crash occurred around 1:30 a.m. on Friday, April 10, 2026.

The players

Mark Polk

A 57-year-old man who was driving a Chevrolet Silverado the wrong way on I-75 in Macon, Georgia, leading to a fatal head-on collision with a tractor-trailer.

Georgia State Patrol (GSP)

The state law enforcement agency that investigated the crash and provided details about the incident.

Lonnie Miley

The deputy coroner who pronounced Mark Polk dead at the scene around 1:30 a.m.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The Georgia State Patrol will continue investigating the crash to determine the exact cause and circumstances surrounding the incident.

The takeaway

This tragic wrong-way driving crash on I-75 in Macon highlights the need for improved highway safety measures, such as better signage, driver education, and potential technological solutions, to prevent such devastating accidents in the future.