Fatal Pedestrian Accident Claims Life on US-31 Near Georgiana, Butler County

A tragic pedestrian accident on Saturday evening claimed the life of 75-year-old Elgin C. McMeans of Georgiana, Alabama. The incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. on U.S. Highway 31, approximately one mile north of Georgiana in Butler County. According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), McMeans was walking in the roadway when he was struck by an oncoming vehicle. Emergency responders transported the victim to the Regional Medical Center of Central Alabama in Greenville, where he unfortunately succumbed to his injuries. ALEA Troopers are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, and no immediate charges have been filed against the driver involved in the incident.

Location and Infrastructure

The collision occurred on a stretch of U.S. Highway 31, a major north-south arterial route that serves as a primary connector between Montgomery and Mobile. This section of highway, located just north of Georgiana, is characterized by rural roadway conditions typical of Butler County. The area features a two-lane highway with moderate traffic volumes, particularly during evening hours. This segment of US-31 runs parallel to Interstate 65 and serves as an important alternative route for local traffic between Butler County communities. The location's proximity to Georgiana makes it a frequently traveled section by both vehicles and pedestrians, despite limited pedestrian infrastructure in the rural setting.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Alabama Code § 32-5A-212, pedestrians are generally required to use sidewalks where available and, in their absence, should walk on the shoulder facing traffic. The state's wrongful death statute (Code of Alabama § 6-5-410) provides specific rights to family members of deceased accident victims. Alabama maintains a strict two-year statute of limitations for wrongful death claims. Potential compensation in such cases may include funeral expenses, medical costs prior to death, and punitive damages. Insurance considerations typically involve the driver's liability coverage and potentially the deceased's own insurance policies. Additionally, Alabama's pure contributory negligence rule can significantly impact recovery options in pedestrian accident cases. An experienced Butler County personal injury lawyer will handle all aspects of the legal claim.

Related Resources

Emergency Services:

• Butler County Sheriff's Office: (334) 382-6521
• Georgiana Police Department: (334) 376-2222
• Regional Medical Center of Central Alabama: (334) 382-2671

Traffic Safety Resources:

• Alabama Department of Transportation Safety Office
• ALEA Highway Safety Division
• Butler County Emergency Management Agency

Victim Support Services:

• Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission
• Alabama Department of Public Health Injury Prevention Division
• Butler County Victim Services Unit

Legal References:

• Alabama Code Title 32: Motor Vehicles and Traffic
• Alabama Department of Public Safety Regulations
• Alabama Uniform Traffic Crash Report Guidelines