HERO Operator Hit, Killed in Interstate 85 Crash

ATLANTA, Ga. - A crash on Interstate 85 at Metropolitan Parkway claimed the life of a HERO operator on Monday. The Georgia State Patrol says the accident happened as the HERO worker was helping a motorist around 10:30 a.m.

The GSP says that a Georgia Department of Transportation HERO unit was stopped in the southbound emergency lane of the interstate helping the driver of a white pick-up truck. The HERO operator was outside his vehicle rendering aid to the motorist when a truck pulling a trailer, which was also heading southbound, hit the HERO truck which then struck the HERO operator.

The HERO operator was killed, police say. He has been identified as Spencer Pass, 45. GDOT officials say he was from Jonesboro, and he had been on the job for less than three years.

The trailer overtued during the crash. The other drivers involved were taken to an area hospital, but the extent of their injuries was not known.

GDOT officials say it is the first death of a HERO operator while on the job since the program's inception in 1995.

Commissioner Vance C. Smith., Jr. released the following statement about Pass’ death:

It is with great sadness that I announce that we have lost one of our Georgia DOT family members today. HERO Unit One operator Spencer Pass was fatally injured this moing while performing his duties on I-85, just south of Atlanta. Spencer, 45, of Jonesboro, had been a HERO for less than three years, dutifully serving the traveling public and the Department.

Please join me in extending our thoughts and prayers to Spencer’s family and friends during this very difficult time. I pray that his family gains comfort and strength from the caring sympathy of the entire Georgia DOT family. Spencer’s death is the HERO Unit’s first fatality and our prayers go out to his Unit co-workers as well.

As a HERO, Spencer spent long hours, often in hazardous roadside conditions, to keep Georgia’s traveling public safer. He will be missed.

The following roads are closed due to the crash:

• All southbound lanes of Interstate 85 at Cleveland Avenue

• Ramps from Interstate 75/Interstate 85 to Interstate 85 northbound

• Ramps from SR 166 eastbound to Interstate 85 southbound

The lanes are expected to re-open this afteoon.