The driver of a box truck died on Wednesday after he lost control of his vehicle and slammed into a tree.

The crash occurred shortly after noon on Riverside Parkway at Factory Shoals Road in Austell.

Cobb police identified the deceased driver as Joseph T. Gilbert, 47, of Hiram.

Investigators said Gilbert was driving a 2013 International 4300 box truck and going east on Riverside Parkway when he lost control of the vehicle.

Police spokesman Sgt. Wayne Delk said the driver crashed into two street signs in the median. The truck then went off the right side of the roadway and hurtled through the fence in front of the Azure at Riverside Apartments.

The truck subsequently hit a large tree in front of the apartment building. 

Gilbert died at the scene.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash and there were no reports of other injuries. The authorities did not indicate what could have caused Gilbert to lose control of the truck.

Investigations into the crash caused traffic to back up on Riverside Parkway during the lunchtime drive.

This was one of two crashes that had the attention of Cobb police on Wednesday.

Almost two hours after this fatal accident in south Cobb, the authorities were called to one in north Cobb involving a motorcycle and a car.

That accident resulted in serious injuries to motorcyclist Errol Simms of Acworth. He was thrown from his bike. The other driver, Ludene Harris did not suffer serious injuries.

Both crashes remain under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call 770-499-3987.

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