Police said Michaela Kemp, 26, was struck by an oncoming vehicle after a confrontation moved onto the shoulder of I-85.
ATLANTA, GA — A 26-year-old woman died early Saturday after police said a physical fight inside a vehicle continued along Interstate 85 and she ran into a traffic lane, where she was struck by an oncoming vehicle.
Atlanta police said officers were called about 2:25 a.m. Aug. 22 to the southbound side of I-85 near the Georgia 400 interchange. The woman, later identified by the Fulton County medical examiner as Michaela Kemp, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police are investigating the circumstances that led to the confrontation and the fatal collision.
Investigators believe Kemp had been involved in a physical fight with others while riding in a vehicle traveling on the interstate. Police said the vehicle eventually pulled onto the shoulder and several people got out. The confrontation then continued outside the vehicle, according to authorities.
During the roadside dispute, police said Kemp entered a travel lane and was hit by another vehicle. Authorities have not released additional details about what prompted the fight, who else was involved or what happened immediately before Kemp entered the roadway.
The driver who struck Kemp remained at the scene and was cooperating with investigators, police said. Authorities had not announced charges against that driver as of Sunday. Police also had not publicly identified the other people involved in the confrontation or said whether anyone connected to the fight could face charges.
The Atlanta Police Department listed the case as a fatal pedestrian accident on I-85 South at Georgia 400. Its Accident Investigations Unit responded to examine the collision and determine the sequence of events. Police have not released findings establishing whether speed, impairment or any other driving factor contributed to the crash.
Kemp’s death was among several fatal incidents on metro Atlanta interstates during the weekend. Authorities separately investigated other crashes involving pedestrians and motorists, but police have not indicated that those cases were connected to Kemp’s death.
As of Sunday, investigators had not announced any arrests or released further details about the roadside fight. The investigation into Kemp’s death remained open while police worked to determine exactly how the confrontation developed and whether criminal charges are warranted.
Author note: Last updated August 23, 2026.