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One Dead, Many Injured In Fiery 9-Vehicle Wreck On I-65
April 3, 2015
For an update to this story, click here.
One person was killed and several others were injured in a fiery multi-vehicle crash on I-65 near Flomaton that first responders described as nothing less than horrific.
The accident involved three northbound 18-wheelers and six passenger vehicles at the 69 mile marker, with two of the 18-wheelers catching fire and burning into an almost unrecognizable pile of mangled metal. The female driver of a passenger car died in a vehicle that was nearly totally destroyed before catching fire in the crash.
One 18-wheeler was hauling lumber, one was hauling salt, and the cargo of the third, while not hazardous, was not known.
“It was the worst accident I’ve seen in 38 years of being a firefighter,” Flomaton Fire Department Chief Steve Stanton said from the scene.
Stanton said no less than 15 fire departments from Alabama and Florida responded to the crash, including departments from Century and McDavid. Multiple ambulances from both states and three helicopters were used to transport the victims to hospitals. Officials were not immediately sure how many people were injured, but state troopers said they believed it to be around five.
I-65 was closed between Flomaton and Atmore for hours, with traffic diverted through Atmore and Flomaton along Highway 31. Traffic backed up for miles and miles in both directions, often at a complete standstill.
Alabama State Troopers are continuing their investigation. Names and details on how the crash happened have not yet been released.
NorthEscambia.com exclusive and reader submitted photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
41 Responses to “One Dead, Many Injured In Fiery 9-Vehicle Wreck On I-65”
It’s been almost 9 years since this crash, and it still haunts me to this day. It was a chaotic situation as everything unfolded.
Even though it’s long overdue, I want to thank all the rescue personnel who were involved in thelping with the aftermath. Also a thank you to the motorists not involved for risking your own safety to help those of us who were involved. All of you are the true heroes.
Although I did not find out about the death until the next day while laid up in the hospital, I send my greatest condolences to the family who lost a loved one. No words can ever be said to make the pain of la oss go away.
Thank you to all involved in the rescue operation, and be safe out on the road.
Feel sorry for those involved. God bless you.
Thats the horrible accident. Always be careful all.
I know myself, I cringe anytime I have to pass a big rig, I don’t know if they see me or not is what the fear is, and would probably die of a heart attack if they started to come over in my lane, I think they should have their own lane, would be a lot safer. I imagine this 51 year old lady wasn’t texting. I would really just like to now what happened that caused it. I know I see a lot of trucks going over the line, might be cause they are so big, might be that they are texting. I’m not saying anyone thing is at fault, just stating my opinion on when I have to pass or go by a big rig.
My husband is a truck driver and for all the comments about truckers being unsafe is absolutely rediculous! They are some of the safest drivers on the road today for heavenly day they have more rules to follow from the law and DOT regulations than some of you may even begin to know! Im sure they get frustrated from time to time, but when someone pulls out in front of you at the last minute, you get frustrated too! Unfortunately, they about have a heart attack each time someone does that to them not knowing if they can stop in time so unexpectedly. Hopefully people can help prevent from this horrific accident to give more space to trucker and all moving vehicles in the future! My family has all that were involved in our prayers and our condolences to the family who encountered the loss. May God Bless!
Not all OTR drivers are bad derivers is a fair statement, however as an OTR motor coach operator, I see many companies hiring anything that breathes to drive these big rigs. I have seen OTRs try to pass on gravel shoulders in Colorado and my pet peave is an OTR governed @ 68 or less try to pass another semi governed the same and tying up the left and right lane for miles making the regular cars pack up and get stupid. Possibly the cause of this accisdent.
I was on I 65 when the wreck happened. We were stopped just past the exit for another wreck to be cleared. Traffic came to a stop very quickly. A few minuets later I looked in the mirror and saw the smoke. I got out of the car and all you could see was smoke and flames. We were directly under the bridge at that point.
I feel very bad for all involved. I do know all the truckers I had passed and would pass later in the day, were courteous and would let traffic pass and give plenty of room.
The first responders showed up very quickly and as always did their best.
Saying that all truck drivers think they own the road is about as crazy as chasing a fart in a whirl wind. That’s like saying all white people are thieves, or all black people are criminals. Or all Japanese people are stupid, so forth and so on. NOT ALL TRUCK DRIVERS are like that. I don’t drive a large truck, nor do I know someone that does. I travel a lot. I’ve seen more rude, tail gaiting, aggressive women drivers then anything. And I’m a woman myself, but I see this a lot. Don’t know what they are trying to prove, but they need to grow up. I’m not saying a trucker didn’t cause this accident, and I’m not saying a personal vehicle caused this accident. I’m saying, you can’t put truck drivers in one category and say they all think they own the road. Until they figure out what happened, I think we all need to just pray for the families, and especially for the family that lost a loved one.
My prayers go out to the family that lost their loved one in the firey crash on I 65 Thursday, and the many who were injured. There are so many of you talking about how safe the truck drivers are, but they think they own the road. They think because their trucks are so big they can do whatever they want. Please everyone watch where you are going whether you think you are a great driver or not no matter what you drive.
IMHO professional truck drivers are the best and safest drivers on the roads today. There may have been some trucks involved in this event but I’m willing to bet by the time it’s all figured out there was a car error that set off a chain reaction involving everybody else. That highway is a racetrack between Mobile and Montgomery most of the time.
@Carol McIntyre
I”m sorry but my husband is a truck driver. He is the safest driver that I know..
Agree with Charlotte at 12:36 April 3rd and Lisa at 11:11 April 3rd. Truck drivers are always blamed. They as anyone else must pay attention at all times to traffic. We have the same rules too. For some of you that disagree with trucks passing other vehicles, it’s a dangerous condition when cars/trucks/RV’s are going slower than 62-65 mph; which most trucks’ governors are set at. Trucks can safely pass when necessary. There are times when vehicles pass my truck and change lanes just a few feet in front of me. So tha’ts okay to do? Could be a serious accident. Trucks need more room to stop when loaded. Prayers for all those involved. May God Bless You.
Its1:15 pm Friday, they have one lane blocked at the 69 mile marker at the crash site. Traffic is back up fo the 61 mike marker. If your headed north bound u might want to get off at the atmore exit
praying for all those involves..
Praying for all those involved. Praying for God to provide strength and comfort during this time as we embark on Easter Sunday. .
My prayers are for everyone. The people involved in the accident, and the fire department, police, and helicopter pilot. As far as I know, since I haven’t heard anything, I don’t see why some people are blaming the “truck” drivers. As far as I know, they are still investigating this accident, and so far, as I know, they don’t know what happened. There are good, and careful truck drivers, and there are truck drivers that are careless, uncaring, and speeders. THE SAME HOLDS TRUE WITH CAR DRIVERS. Anything could have happened. A tire may have blown out, causing out of control of the vehicle, which it may be, car or truck. Or someone that paying attention, be it truck or car. When I’m on a road trip, I do not drive in a pod like so many people do. I see six to ten vehicles all driving the same speed, and all on each other’s tail, and all speeding. I stay way away from those pods. Cause all it takes is one person in the pod to make one mistake, and it’s all over jack. So, stop blaming, until you know what happened.
Praying for everyone involved.
The truck driver’s get blamed for a lot of accidents. When a lot of the time people are texting and driving. Or talking on there phone not paying attention to what they’re doing.
What a wonderful thing to write, Lillian Dean. I have to totally agree with you. Such a tragedy. Law enforcement and fire fighters give their all, and see so much BAD, it is a breath of fresh air to read nice things written about them.
God Bless all that was involved in this horrible accident !! We are praying for each and every one that was involved. And most definitely for their families. I pray for the Dr’s and Nurse’s that are careing for all of them that God would touch them all with compassion.
May God truly bless all involved, including the Police Officers, fire fighters, helcopters pilots. This situation could have easly involed all. I thank you personally for responding to the accident. You go fearless while many of us just watch at the side line. May God continue to cover you as you take care of those that can not take care of themselves.Thanks
>>>I’m a trk driver and the north bound on ramp is not lond enough
This accident was before the exit ramp, not near the on-ramp.
Praying for all those involved May god bring you comfort at this time of distress and healing for those injured. Many hanks to the firs responders and their dedication, counting my Blessing that my family wasn’t in it.
I’m a trk driver and the north bound on ramp is not lond enough. If the on coming traffic doesn’t move over to left lane, you have to stop because there’s a small bridge with no shoulder. I’m very aware of this but have said for years someone’s going to get hurt. Is this what it rakes to re route the ramp? All they have to do is have traffic nke a left and loop around where there where there would be better sight and merge area.
We were in the earlier wreck just past exit 69. These 18 wheelers drive like crazy people passing, pulling over in front of you. I believe there should be a law prohibiting 18 wheelers to pass or drive in the left lane. Prayers for those involved in this accident as well as the earlier accident
Prayers sent for all involved. My friends and son were one of those out there helping with flomaton fire department. Good work guys I know that was a horrible scene. Im thankful to be asleep in my bed for im a nurse and I was on call last and would have traveled through about that time this morning .Heartfelt prayers to all involved.
This is so horrible! My heart breaks for the families and loved ones of the people involved in this tragedy! There are no words that one could say at a time like this. I’m so sorry for all involved!
I was in the traffic on I-65 going to evergreen and on the way back to Pensacola fl. I caught the tail end of the wreckage clean up the last 18 wheeler and the last vehicle that was flipped upside down. When I watched them flip the vehicle I burst Into tears. My heart goes out to everyone who were involved I am truly sorry to the families who lost a loved one. I know god was with each and everyone of you and still there. I believe if he wasn’t then it would have been so much worse. The emergency teams were god sent as well. If you could only see the sadness in their faces you would understand that I’m trying to say they wanted this to get cleaned up so travelers could move and loved ones could move on and so they to could go home and love their families thank you so much for doing a great job and I’m praying for all of the victims!
Prayers go out to the motorist who lost their life and to the many people who were injured, ejected, trapped in their vehicle, and/or severely burned. I know people are frustrated with the traffic but PLEASE understand that a lot of people were seriously injured (some still might not survive) and needed to be attended to as quickly as possible. Responders are working as hard and as fast as they can to clear the roadway so that traffic can start moving. Personally, I’m here in the jam hugging my children as it could have just as easily been my car and my children involved in the accident. I will be going across the median in my car since I was told we could and getting home as safely as possible. I’m very sorry for the person who died and we will pray for the adults and children who still might.
Prayers to the families that has relatives that is hurt and lost. Bless all the emergency people that was called to duty, and stood strong may you sleep well and a super Thank You for being there when needed when called upon.
Our prayers for all the family
prayingfor families for Grief and families of those injured. Praying for healing mercy for the injured. Comfort and peace for all
Would have been nice if DOT would have put notice sign south bound before the Brewton exit to divert traffic, not too have to set in traffic for hours on the road with nowhere to go…. Just saying, backed up for miles could have cause another accident… Prayers for those involved!
PRAYING FOR EVER ONE THAT IS INVOLVED MAY GOD BE WITH YOU
Prayers for all involved.
Prayers for all involved, families and loved ones, and the first responders.
Prayers for all involved in this tragic accident, and their families.
Praying for all involved, may god be with you and your family.
Been sitting for 10 minutes, ita horrible . Praying for all involved and helping.
May the Lord comfort the families who lost loved ones, and help everyone involved.
God be with all involved and the folks working to help all.
Praying for all those involved may God be with you oh and those who have lost loved ones and that you are with us and prayers