Semi plows into strip mall; driver dies

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - The driver of a semitrailer was found dead in the wreckage of a strip mall after his truck slammed into a restaurant there in the Atlanta suburb of Lawrenceville, authorities said.

No other injuries were reported.

The crash happened around 10:15 a.m. Wednesday on Scenic Highway, WXIA-TV reported.

The semi was heading north on the highway near Essex Drive when it crossed the southbound lanes, Gwinnett County Police Cpl. Edwin Ritter said.

The truck came to a stop after crashing through the window of O'Wings in Essex Plaza. It happened about 45 minutes before the restaurant was scheduled to open for lunch, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

The truck narrowly avoided the nearby Global Karate Studio, which was holding a summer camp with 22 children at the time of the crash, WSB-TV reported.

A karate instructor said he ran to try and help the driver, but it was too late. He then returned to the karate studio to evacuate the children.

The driver, who has been identified as 66-year-old Donald Samples of Snellville, died on scene as a result of the injuries sustained in the collision. It is unknown at this time if the driver suffered a medical condition that contributed to the accident. Alcohol and drugs do not appear to be contributing causes at this time.


AccessNorthGa.com's Alyson Shields contributed to this story.