A deadly two-vehicle collision on Friday afternoon in Dothan, Alabama, resulted in the death of a Georgia man and prompted authorities to shut down a major highway for several hours. The crash occurred at the intersection of Ennis Road and Highway 52 early Friday afternoon, claiming the life of 65-year-old James Albert Greenwood of Ludowici, Georgia. Houston County Coroner Robert Byrd confirmed Greenwood's identity and reported that his vehicle became engulfed in flames following the collision. Emergency crews and Dothan police responded to the scene, blocking off a portion of Highway 52 while they worked to clear the wreckage and conduct their investigation. The extent of injuries sustained by occupants of the second vehicle involved in the crash remains unknown at this time. Authorities have not yet released details regarding the circumstances that led to the collision or whether any citations will be issued. The investigation into the fatal crash is ongoing.

Location and Infrastructure

The intersection of Ennis Road and Highway 52 sits in a heavily traveled corridor in Dothan, the largest city in Houston County and a regional hub in southeastern Alabama known as the "Circle City." Highway 52, also known as the Ross Clark Circle bypass in portions of Dothan, serves as a critical arterial route connecting travelers between Alabama and neighboring Georgia. This intersection experiences significant traffic volume as it links residential areas along Ennis Road with the commercial and through-traffic patterns of Highway 52. The afternoon timing of the crash coincided with increased traffic activity in the area. Intersections along Highway 52 require motorists to navigate varying speed limits and traffic control devices as they transition between highway speeds and local road conditions.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Alabama law, surviving family members of individuals killed in motor vehicle accidents may be entitled to pursue wrongful death claims to recover damages. Alabama Code Section 6-5-410 governs wrongful death actions, which must generally be filed within two years of the date of death. Potential compensation in fatal crash cases may include funeral and burial expenses, loss of companionship, and punitive damages where applicable. Alabama follows a contributory negligence standard, which can significantly impact recovery in civil claims. Individuals injured in the second vehicle may also have grounds to pursue personal injury claims for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Insurance considerations typically involve liability coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist protection, and potentially medical payments coverage. Affected parties should consider consulting with a qualified attorney to understand their specific legal options and applicable deadlines.

Related Resources

• Dothan Police Department: (334) 615-3000
• Houston County Coroner's Office: (334) 677-4844
• Houston County Emergency Management Agency: (334) 677-4858
• Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA): Crash reports and traffic safety information at alea.gov
• Alabama Department of Transportation: Road conditions and traffic updates at dot.state.al.us
• Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission: Financial assistance for eligible crime and accident victims
• Alabama Traffic Safety Center: Educational resources on traffic safety initiatives