KENNESAW - Brian Andrew Spruell, 23, of Kennesaw, was looking forward to moving into his new home with his fiancee this Friday. While working a technical job, he was trying to earn a degree in marketing at Georgia State University.

But Spruell's future was cut short after a fatal accident Sunday, after he pulled over on Interstate 75 at Barrett Parkway around 6:50 p.m. to check his car.

When Spruell tried to get back on the road, his 2007 Toyota Corolla collided with a tractor-trailer, which veered into traffic and hit a Dodge Stratus. The driver of the Stratus, 33-year-old Shemieshea Garmon, of Acworth, was taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital with minor injuries, Officer Joe Hernandez said.

Spruell was pronounced dead at the scene.

"He was very bright, kind and gentle. He loved people and animals and never lost his temper over anything," said his father, Dr. Hugh Spruell of Decatur.

He left behind a 6-year-old daughter, who family members said was the "light of his life."

"When she was born, he went out by himself and bought everything that was needed and made a nursery at his house. From the minute she was born, he was there changing diapers and took care of her beyond someone of his years," said Brian Spruell's aunt, Susan Ridge.

Ridge said in addition to being a great father, the young man was humorous and a quick learner.

"He was extremely smart, precocious and had many gifts. He learned to read before kindergarten and could do anything he put his mind to," she said.

Hugh Spruell said his son was heading to his Kennesaw home Sunday night to feed his pets when he pulled over with car trouble. All lanes of Interstate 75 northbound were shut down for almost four hours after the accident and traffic had to be rerouted to Barrett Parkway, Hernandez said.

Hernandez said speed and the weather were not factors in the accident.

The Turner Funeral Home in Decatur is handling funeral arrangements.