Suspect in deadly I-75 hit-and-run identified as former police officer

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The suspect in a deadly hit-and-run on I-75 in Marietta last week was a police officer at the time of the accident, according to law enforcement officials.

On Wednesday, 36-year-old Terrell Lowdermilk from Chattanooga, Tennessee, was hit and killed on I-75 N near South Marietta Parkway.

Police said Lowdermilk had gotten out of the tractor-trailer he was driving after a minor accident with another tractor-trailer.

A 2020 Chevrolet Silverado fatally struck Lowdermilk while he was talking with the other tractor-trailer driver on the side of the interstate.

The driver of the Silverado reportedly did not stop, and “made no attempt to render aid and failed to contact any emergency services,” police said.

On Friday, police identified the driver who allegedly struck Lowdermilk as 48-year-old Christopher Bradshaw of Canton. He was booked on felony charges of vehicular homicide and hit-and-run on Friday evening, Cobb County jail records show.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Suspect identified in deadly hit-and-run on I-75 in Marietta

On Monday, the Milton Police Department in north Fulton County said Bradshaw was one of its lieutenants at the time of the deadly crash.

Bradshaw, a 14-year veteran of the department, was off duty at the time.

Milton police said they immediately placed Bradshaw on administrative leave when they learned of the investigation. Bradshaw has since been fired.

“Our deepest condolences go out to the family and loved ones of the victim during this difficult time,” Milton police said in a statement.

One Atlanta-based trucking group is stepping in to Lowdermilk’s family and shine a light on the dangers truckers face on the road.

Members of the Minority Professional Truckers Association (MPTA) are calling for more awareness about highway safety.

“If one is down, all of us are down,” said Howard Robertson, Chairman of MPTA.

Robertson added, “Whenever I hear about something that happens to a driver, it’s personal because you can relate to being on that road and risking your life.”

The organization says it seems things are getting more treacherous on the roads for truck drivers.

“Majority of the accidents that happen with the semi-trucks are caused by a car,” said Teresa Watson, Executive Director of MPTA.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports a nearly 50 percent (49.46%) spike in non-fatal accidents involving large trucks from 2021 to 2024 in the state of Georgia. There was a 22 percent decrease in fatalities during the same time period.

Truckers say conditions on the road are getting worse. Watson shares, she was nearly killed twice while driving on I-75 — the same interstate where Lowdermilk lost his life.

“An elderly driver just drifted across the highway and hit me head on,” she recalled.

In another incident, she said, “When I hit the brake, the truck slid and it flipped like 10, 20 times.”

Semi-truck and commercial drivers are urging people to stay alert and drive responsibly around large trucks.

“Any new driver who comes on the freeway needs to know what it’s like to drive on the road with a semi truck,” one said.“Slow down and merge over to the next lane if they’re able to do so.”

As a tribute, MPTA is offering honorary membership to Lowdermilk.

“I want to make him an honorary member of MPTA,” said Watson.

The group tells Atlanta News First they’ll be reaching out to Lowdermilk’s family in Tennessee and plan to send a proclamation in his honor.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Truck driver dies in hit-and-run on I-75 in Cobb County, police say