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Driver cited in wreck

MARIETTA – The driver of a delivery truck filled with bundles of cardboard was aided by bystanders Thursday afternoon after his vehicle ran off the road and overturned in the parking lot of the former Movie Gallery at Seventh, Pike and Greene streets.

Clifford Dean Harper, 55, of Greene Street, Marietta, who was driving the 1993 International truck for Mar Pak Inc. of Marietta, received minor injuries as a result of the accident. The accident happened around 1:30 p.m.

He was cited for failure to maintain control of a vehicle by the Marietta Police Department.

“He was in the center lane of Pike Street, headed west, and it looked like he just lost control,” said Jamar Cuthbertson of Marietta who was on his way home when he witnessed the accident.

He said the truck miraculously crossed a lane of traffic and ran through the Movie Gallery parking lot without striking another vehicle before it finally ran into a tree and overturned.

“The truck broke a few limbs, and he didn’t hit the tree head-on, but the engine was still running after it overturned,” Cuthbertson said. “Me and about three other people ran over to help get him out. One guy had a knife, so we were able to pry the windshield out of the cab and pulled the driver out.”

He said the driver was conscious the entire time, but seemed to be a bit dazed.

Harper was treated for an arm injury at the scene and refused transport to the hospital, according to Marietta Police.

Harper told police that the truck engine had started “revving up” and he lost control, causing the vehicle to cross into the parking lot where it also struck a sign before running into the tree limbs and overturning, spilling most of the cardboard cargo.

The Marietta Fire Department also responded.

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