Rita Westbrook of Duluth Killed in Multi-Car Accident

The Gwinnett County Police Accident Investigation Unit is investigating a fatal car accident that occurred about 11:10 a.m. Tuesday (June 21) at the intersection of Sugarloaf Parkway and Old Peachtree Road in unincorporated Duluth, according to Cpl. Edwin Ritter. 

The preliminary investigation has revealed that Vehicle 1, a black Toyota Tacoma driven by Rita Westbrook, 57, of Duluth, was driving northbound on Old Peachtree Road and entered the intersection of Sugarloaf Parkway, Ritter reported Wednesday. Vehicle 2, a white Lexus GX470, driven by 61-year-old Deborah Bush of Duluth, was traveling eastbound on Sugarloaf Parkway and entered the intersection of Old Peachtree Parkway, he said. Vehicle 2 struck the left side of Vehicle 1 as they entered the intersection together, Ritter said. The impact of the collision sent both Vehicle 1 and Vehicle 2 into four other occupied vehicles that were stopped for the traffic light in the westbound lanes of Sugarloaf Parkway, he said.

Westbrook died on scene as a result of the injuries sustained in the collision, Ritter said. Bush was transported to Gwinnett Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries, he said. Ritter also reported that the driver of Vehicle 3 Mack Shockley complained of injuries and refused treatment. The driver of Vehicle 4 Jack Crew was transported to Gwinnett Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries. The driver of Vehicle 5 Timothy Wise complained of injuries and refused treatment, and the driver of Vehicle 6 Gurupdesh Bedi complained of injuries and refused treatment.

AIU investigators have determined that Westbrook ran the red light as she entered the intersection, Ritter reported. It is not believed that speed and/or alcohol were contributing causes in this accident, he said.

The investigation into this accident continues, Ritter said.