Truck Driver Killed In I-75 Crash Identified

ACWORTH, GA — The Cherokee Sheriff's Office has released the identity of the tractor trailer driver who died early Tuesday in a single-vehicle crash on I-75 near Acworth.

Robert Kevin Deal, 41, of Statesboro was behind the wheel of the steel-hauling vehicle around 7:10 a.m. Nov. 20 when the 18-wheeler left the road just north of the Ga. 92 exit ramp.

The truck traveled about 600 feet in the grass before colliding with and coming to rest under the Highway 92 bridge, said Sheriff's Office spokesperson Jay Baker. Deal was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

According to an obituary posted by Joiner Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory, Deal was born in Metter and graduated in 1995 from Statesboro High School. After working with ITT Grinell and becoming a certified corrections officer, Deal became a heavy equipment operator with the Bulloch County Work Camp. In February he signed on to Ogeechee Steel to become a truck driver.

"During his career Kevin established a reputation of being a dedicated employee with a strong work ethic and always dependable," the obituary states.

Deal is survived by his two daughters, his parents, sisters and brothers-in-law and other extended family members.

"He will always be remembered for his love and knowledge of history, especially Civil War facts,"his obituary adds. "Kevin was the family resource for history and genealogy. Above all, Kevin loved God and his country, but held his family close to his heart. He was a dedicated father, son, brother and grandson."

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