A tragic single-vehicle accident claimed the life of a Selma resident and left another person injured in the early morning hours of Wednesday in Lowndes County, Alabama. Carl Johnson, 61, of Selma, was traveling as a passenger on U.S. Highway 80 near Lowndesboro when the vehicle departed the roadway and collided with a tree around 1:30 a.m. Emergency responders arrived at the scene but were unable to save Johnson, who was pronounced dead at the location of the crash. The driver of the vehicle sustained injuries in the collision and was transported to Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery for medical treatment. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding this fatal crash. At this time, investigators have not released information regarding what caused the vehicle to leave the roadway or any contributing factors that may have played a role in this devastating incident. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine the exact sequence of events that led to this tragedy.

Location and Infrastructure

U.S. Highway 80 in Lowndes County is a significant east-west corridor that runs through rural Alabama, connecting communities between Selma and Montgomery. The stretch of highway near Lowndesboro, where this crash occurred, traverses predominantly rural terrain with varying road conditions. This section of U.S. 80 is characterized by two-lane traffic in each direction and passes through areas with limited lighting during nighttime hours. The roadway serves both local and through traffic, including commercial vehicles traveling between major Alabama cities. Rural highways like this stretch of U.S. 80 often present challenges such as reduced visibility at night, wildlife crossings, and limited shoulders. The area around Lowndesboro is relatively sparsely populated, which can result in longer emergency response times compared to urban areas. Weather conditions, roadway maintenance, and the presence or absence of guardrails or other safety features may all be factors that investigators consider when examining crashes on rural highways.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Alabama law, victims of motor vehicle accidents and their families may have various legal rights depending on the circumstances of the crash. Alabama operates under a contributory negligence standard, which can significantly impact personal injury and wrongful death claims. Families who have lost loved ones in fatal accidents may be eligible to pursue wrongful death claims under Alabama Code § 6-5-410, which allows certain family members to seek compensation for their loss. Injured parties may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from the accident. Alabama law requires that wrongful death actions be filed within two years of the date of death, while personal injury claims generally must be filed within two years of the accident date. Insurance considerations may include coverage from the at-fault driver's liability policy, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and medical payments coverage. Accident victims and their families should preserve all evidence, document medical treatment, and be aware that insurance companies may conduct their own investigations into the crash circumstances.

Related Resources

Emergency Services:

• Lowndes County Emergency Management Agency
• Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA): (334) 242-4371
• Baptist Medical Center South, Montgomery: (334) 288-8000

Traffic Safety Resources:

• Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) Traffic Safety Division
• Alabama Traffic Safety Center
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Support Services:

• Alabama Department of Mental Health Crisis Services: 1-800-273-8255
• Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Alabama: Victim support services
• Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission

Legal and Regulatory Information:

• Alabama Code Title 32 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic)
• Alabama Administrative Code - Rules of the Road
• ALEA Crash Reports: Available through Alabama Crash Portal