On May 14 at 1:32 p.m., a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu was traveling eastbound on Alabama Highway 20 when the driver collided with a dump truck. The collision occurred near the intersection of the highway with Sockwell Lane. The dump truck was traveling southbound on Sockwell Lane prior to the collision. Police were alerted instantly when an area resident who heard the crash contacted 911.
Photographs show that the front of the Chevrolet was completely smashed. The driver, a 41-year-old Decatur resident was transported to Huntsville Hospital by air. He died later that day. His 46-year-old wife had been riding in the car as one of two passengers. She was taken to Helen Keller Hospital in Sheffield and was pronounced dead shortly after the truck accidents. The other passenger, a 31-year-old Florence resident, was taken to Florence for treatment at Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital. He was later flown to UAB Hospital in Birmingham. As of that evening, his condition had not been released.
The driver of the dump truck, a 57-year-old Killen man, was not injured. State troopers are still investigating the accident. However, it is believed that the front of the Malibu hit the rear passenger tire of the dump truck. The car seems to have rotated 180 degrees following the impact and came to rest facing oncoming traffic, approximately 10 feet from where the impact occurred. It was not stated which vehicle may have had the right of way.
When a person dies in an automobile accident, the family could seek compensation. A personal injury attorney may be able to negotiate a settlement for cover funeral expenses, medical bills or lost earning potential. Money cannot replace a loved one, but may help make the situation less painful.
Source: Decatur Daily, “Decatur couple killed”, Tom Smith, May 15, 2013
