ATLANTA - A traffic reporter known for his often-humorous reports on radio and television has died. <br>
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Keith Kalland was 51 years old. <br>
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A spokesman for WGST radio -- one of the stations Kalland reported for -- said Kalland died Tuesday at a Gwinnett County Hospital. He was hospitalized over the weekend. <br>
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Kalland had been ill for some time, but the cause of death was not immediately known. <br>
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Kallandbegan his traffic reporting career in 1987. Most recently, his reports aired on WAGA-TV and on 96 Rock and Peach 94.5 radio stations, in addition to WGST. <br>
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He had a close call in May 1999 when a funnel cloud swept past Lawrenceville's Briscoe Field airport -- his base of operations. <br>
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He landed his helicopter, jumped out and ran into the hangar. <br>
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Later that year, Kalland was nearly hit by a wrong-way driver while headed in to work along the Downtown Connector. <br>
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Kalland is survived by his wife, Carrell, and two sons.