Cobb County, GA — January 2, 2026, Jeffery Tanke was killed in a truck accident at about 5:50 a.m. on Interstate 75 near Kennesaw.

Authorities said a 2025 International semi-truck was heading south when it hit a guardrail near the exit for Wade Green Road. It left the road and overturned on the exit ramp.

Driver Jeffrey Tanke, 63, of Wood Lake, MN was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Cobb County crash at this time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When people see a report about a semi-truck veering off the road, striking a guardrail and overturning, especially with a fatality involved, they're bound to wonder: What caused the driver to lose control? And more importantly, could this have been prevented?

Right now, we don’t have those answers. Authorities haven’t said whether the truck was speeding, if the driver swerved to avoid something or if a mechanical issue played a role. Without those details, it’s impossible to know what really went wrong, but there are clear investigative steps that can bring clarity.

First, was the truck equipped with an engine control module (ECM), also known as a black box? Most modern trucks are. These devices can provide key data like speed, braking and steering input in the moments leading up to the crash. That information could help determine whether the driver reacted suddenly or if the vehicle had been drifting off course for some time.

Second, what do the driver’s cell phone records show? Was he on a call or sending messages at the time of the crash? Distracted driving is a real concern, and it’s one that often gets missed unless someone bothers to pull the phone logs.

Then there's the question of the truck’s mechanical condition. An independent inspection could reveal whether the brakes were working properly, whether the steering system failed or whether a tire blowout contributed to the crash. Depending on what investigators find, the responsibility may not rest solely on the driver’s shoulders.

Lastly, the driver’s employer needs scrutiny too. Was this someone who was properly vetted before being hired? Did the company provide enough training or assign the driver a manageable schedule? In past cases I’ve handled, companies have cut corners on both hiring and training, and the consequences were severe. Just because a truck is rolling down the highway doesn’t mean the person behind the wheel was ever truly prepared to be there.

At this point, all we know is that a man lost his life in a single-vehicle crash that involved an 18-wheeler leaving the roadway. Whether that happened due to a momentary mistake, a mechanical failure or broader negligence at the company level is still unknown. But there are tools — black box data, dash cams, maintenance records and company policies — that can bring the truth to light.

Key Takeaways:

• It’s not yet clear what caused the truck to leave the road and overturn. Further investigation is needed.
• Black box data and cell phone records may shed light on the driver’s actions and condition at the time of the crash.
• Mechanical failure can’t be ruled out without an independent inspection of the truck.
• The trucking company’s hiring, training and scheduling practices should be reviewed as part of a full investigation.
• Holding the right parties accountable depends on gathering and analyzing all available evidence.