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PAGE 2A July 2024
Several Killed In Roadway Incidents and Crashes A single-vehicle crash at approximately 1:35 a.m. on Saturday, July 13, claimed the life of a Huntsville man. Adam P. Garrison, 35, was fatally injured when the 2017 Lexus GX 460 he was driving left the roadway, struck a tree and caught fire. Garrison died at the scene. The crash occurred on Indian Creek Road, approximately one mile north of Huntsville, in Madison County. A single-vehicle crash at approximately 1:03 p.m. on Saturday, July 13, claimed the life of a Hartselle man. Brandon R. Gonzalez, 19, was fatally injured when the 2009 Nissan Altima he was driving left the roadway, struck a tree and caught fire. Gonzalez died at the scene. The crash occurred on Asbery Lane, approximately three miles east of Hartselle, in Morgan County. A single-vehicle crash at approximately 2:49 a.m. Saturday, July 13, claimed the life of a Fort Payne man. Cody W. Ashley, 19, was fatally injured when the 2020 Nissan Maxima he was driving left the roadway, struck a utility pole, a tree and then overturned. Ashley died at the scene. A 16-year-old juvenile, who was a passenger in the Nissan, was injured and transported to an area hospital for treatment. Ashley was being pursued by a Police Officer with the Fort Payne Police Department at the time of the crash. The crash occurred on DeKalb County 248, approximately two miles south of Fort Payne, in DeKalb County. Nothing further is available as Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate. A two-vehicle incident at approximately 7:18 p.m. Saturday, July 6, claimed three lives. Blake E. Hicks, 27, of Arab, was fatally injured when the 2024 Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle he was operating struck the 2007 Chevrolet Impala driven by Carolyn S. Thompson, 75, of Joppa. After the impact, the Chevrolet left the roadway and struck a ditch. Hicks was pronounced deceased at the scene. Thompson was not using a seat belt at the time of the crash, was critically injured and transported to Marshall Medical North Hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries. The passenger in the Chevrolet, Brandy D. Burden, 51, of Joppa, was also critically injured and airlifted to Huntsville Hospital. On Monday, July 8, Burden succumbed to her injuries while at the hospital. The crash occurred on U.S. 231 near Mountain View Road, approximately five miles north of Arab, in Marshall County. A multi-vehicle crash at approximately 8:30 a.m. Sunday, July 7, claimed the life of a Huntsville teenager. The 17-year-old was fatally injured when the 2015 Nissan Altima the teen was driving struck the 1988 Chevrolet C2500 driven by Rodney L. Quick, 50, of New Hope. The Altima then struck a trailer attached to the 1988 Chevrolet R3500 driven by Shelby R. Cloud Jr., 52, of Huntsville. The teen was not using a seat belt at the time of the crash. The crash occurred on U.S. 72 near the 119 mile marker, approximately three miles west of Woodville, in Jackson County. A two-vehicle crash at approximately 8:40 a.m. Friday, July 5, has claimed the life of a Scottsboro man. Justin R. Bradford, 30, was critically injured when the 2007 Kawasaki Vulcan motorcycle that he was operating struck a 1999 Ford F150 driven by Ronald K. Crumbley, 42, of Carbon Hill. After the impact, both vehicles left the roadway. Bradford was transported to the Cullman Regional Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The crash occurred on Alabama 69 near Cullman County 216, in the Dodge City limits, in Cullman County. Nothing further is available as Troopers continue to investigate. A single-vehicle crash at approximately 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 2, has claimed the life of a Cleveland man. Justin P. King, 23, was fatally injured when the 2009 Harley-Davidson motorcycle that he was operating left the roadway and struck a utility pole. After the impact, King was thrown from the motorcycle and he died at the scene. The crash occurred on U.S. 31 near Church Street, approximately two miles south of Garden City, in Blount County. A multi-vehicle crash at approximately 5:39 p.m. on Monday, July 1, has claimed the life of a Baileyton woman. Brenda R. Reed, 78, was critically injured when the 1999 GMC Sonoma that she was driving was struck by a 2017 Nissan Titan driven by Aaron S. Barnes, 34, of Gadsden. After the initial impact, the GMC overturned and left the roadway. The Nissan Titan then struck a 2009 Nissan Rogue driven by Shawn S. Wheeler, 59, of Huntsville. Reed was transported to Marshall Medical North Hospital by helicopter, where she later succumbed to her injuries. The crash occurred on Alabama 67 near Hulaco Road, approximately five miles west of Arab, in Morgan County. A single-vehicle crash at approximately 1 p.m. Friday, June 28, has claimed the life of a Boaz woman. Macey E. Justice, 24, was critically injured when the 1995 Ford Ranger she was driving left the roadway, struck a culvert, and then a tree. Justice, who was being pursued by an officer of the Albertville Police Department at the time of the crash, was also not using a seat belt. Justice was transported to Huntsville Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. The crash occurred on Welcome Home Road, approximately 10 miles west of Albertville, in Marshall County. An incident involving a single-vehicle and a pedestrian at approximately 8:55 p.m. Saturday, June 29, has claimed the life of an Oneonta man. Gary L. Wilkerson, 67, was fatally injured when he was struck by the 2017 Toyota Camry driven by Matthew W. Dempsey, 52, of Oneonta. Wilkerson, who was initially operating a 2004 Harley-Davidson Road King, collided with an animal in the roadway and was thrown from the motorcycle into oncoming lanes. The crash occurred on Blount County 12, approximately eight miles south of Oneonta, in Blount County.
Nine Traffic Fatalities and Three Drownings Reported Submitted Photo Equipped With AEDs and Narcan Vehicles belonging to the Police and Public Safety Department at Gadsden State Community College are now equipped with Automated External Defibrillators and Narcan, an opioid overdose reversal medication. “This is a significant enhancement in our emergency response capabilities,” said Chief Jay Freeman. “This ensures that our team can promptly and effectively respond to medical emergencies across all five campuses located in three counties.” To further strengthen the department’s readiness, a Cardinal Safety Training Program has been developed. “This comprehensive program is available to all Gadsden State employees and includes essential training in the use of AEDs, Narcan and CPR,” he said. Over the course of an extended five-day enforcement period, Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) investigated a total of nine traffic fatalities and three non-boating fatalities (drownings). However, this was the third year in a row where the state experienced zero boating related fatalities on Alabama waterways. The traffic fatalities occurred in Calhoun, Conecuh, Crenshaw, Cullman, Escambia, Jackson, Marshall and Tuscaloosa counties with Wednesday, July 3, being the only zero-fatality day. Of those killed, six were drivers, one was a passenger and two were motorcyclists. Both motorcyclists were using helmets at the time of their crashes, but only one person of the seven traveling in vehicles equipped with seat belts was buckled up at the time of the crash. The three drownings occurred at Oak Mountain State Park in Shelby County, Wheeler Lake in Morgan County and Palmetto Creek in Baldwin County. ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor said, “Unfortunately, this holiday period ended in tragedy for 12 individuals and their loved ones, which we extend our deepest condolences. For law enforcement, this number is a stark reminder that our job is never done. While I commend all of our officers and the state’s first responders who worked tirelessly over the holiday away from their families, I also pledge to the public that our Agency will continue our mission of protecting and serving by conducting high-visibility enforcement details and providing educational opportunities to combat dangerous driving and boating habits and reduce such tragedies.” Over the holiday, ALEA Troopers conducted numerous driver license checkpoints and participated in national campaigns such as Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and Operation Dry Water, in an intensified effort to reduce crashes, deter speeding and remove impaired drivers from Alabama’s roadways and waterways. Troopers assigned to ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division investigated 206 traffic crashes, made 48 DUI arrests, issued 2,429 citations for speeding, and issued 1,211 citations for seat belts and/or improper child restraints. Troopers assigned to ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division investigated 14 boating incidents, made 14 BUI arrests, issued 206 Marine Safety citations and issued 852 Marine Safety Warnings. Troopers also conducted 671 vessel inspections and patrolled 36 marine related events across the state, many of which were firework shows over the water. ALEA’s Department of Public Safety Director, Colonel Jonathan Archer said, “I echo Secretary Taylor's comments: our jobs are never done. With the increase in summer activities and travel, it is imperative that safety remains a top priority for everyone. Please remember to wear your seat belts, put down your phone and other distractions, and never operate a vehicle or boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Our Troopers will continue to work diligently to enforce traffic and boating laws to protect the lives of all Alabamians and its visitors. We are continuing our '101 Days of Summer Safety' educational campaign and the Rescue Swimmer Detail on the Gulf Coast. We will kick off Rural Road Safety Awareness Week on July 15th, and then we will also be joining our neighbors in Georgia for a joint safety initiative known as 'Operation Southern Slow Down' on the same day to focus on speeding and reckless driving.” Additionally, ALEA’s Aviation Unit, in conjunction with Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Fire Departments, participated in the Rescue Swimmer Detail on Thursday, July 4 through Monday, July 8. During this time, Aviation performed 12 patrol flights, responded to four calls for service, and performed 10 practice deployments of the Rescue Swimmers. The Agency would also like to remind beachgoers that while Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Texas and is now a Tropical Depression, the threat for strong rip currents along the Gulf of Mexico remains high, even in Alabama. Please swim with caution and check local surf and weather conditions. Beachgoers visiting Orange Beach and Gulf Shores may sign up to receive daily beach conditions and the beach warning flag status by texting ALBEACHES to 888777.
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