CARTERSVILLE, Ga. - Three people are dead after authorities say a semitrailer smashed into a concrete support pillar, sending a large sign into the path of another vehicle along Interstate 75 northwest of Atlanta.

State transportation officials say the southbound lanes of Interstate 75 were closed after the wreck early Wednesday morning. Authorities say the crash happened shortly before 2 a.m. in Bartow County, near exit 296 and the intersection of Cassville-White Road.

Georgia State Patrol officials tell WXIA-TV that the wreck started when a northbound semi struck a guardrail, then the support pillar for an overhead sign structure. The truck then rolled onto its side and caught fire.

Authorities say the sign fell and was hit by another semi, whose driver lost control and careened off the highway.