Saturday was a deadly day on the highways in this area with three fatal accidents. In Pike County, a single vehicle wreck took the life of a Grady man. State Troopers report that 35 year old Marcus T. Barnes was driving a pickup on Pike County Road 1101 when it left the roadway and struck a tree. Barnes was reportedly not wearing a seat belt and was pronounced dead on the scene. Troopers say speed and alcohol may have been factors in the crash. The accident occurred around 10 miles north of Troy.
A two-vehicle collision turned fatal on I-65. Authorities say an SUV and car crashed on the interstate approximately 9 miles south of Clanton Saturday. The driver of the SUV died when he was ejected from the vehicle. He’s been identified as 25 year old Derek Ray Dison of Prattville. No word on what led to the accident.
Two more people died in a pile-up on Alabama Highway 21 Saturday afternoon. State Troopers say 3 vehicles collided about 8 miles north of Sylacauga. 43-year-old James Ragsdale was killed and so was 73-year-old Elizabeth Smith, of Talladega. A preliminary investigation showed alcohol may have been a factor in the crash, but troopers are continuing to investigate.