Contreras attended Cartersville High School, where he played sports and several musical instruments. He was walking in the far right lane of I-75 near mile marker 291 when struck Sunday by a northbound vehicle.
According to Georgia State Patrol officials, Larry W. Hendrix of Cartersville, who was hospitalized, struck Contreras and stopped to render aid, going into the center lane where Contreras rested. A tractor trailer swerved to avoid the two, striking Hendrix and his vehicle before jackknifing into the woods. Several vehicles then struck Contreras, and he was pronounced dead on the scene.
No criminal charges are expected in the case.
A memorial service for Contreras is set for Saturday. See his obituary on Page 2A for more information.
Reports indicate he was with friends before the crash, but officials do not know why he was walking on the interstate. He had no identification on his person.