A fatal multi-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 80 in Lowndes County claimed the life of a Selma resident early Tuesday morning, October 21, 2025. According to Alabama State Troopers, 41-year-old Kenneth Watts of Selma was killed when his vehicle, which had been stopped on the highway due to involvement in a previous crash, was struck from behind by a tractor-trailer driven by 24-year-old Timothy Burgett of Hope Hull. The initial impact occurred just after 3:30 a.m. within the White Hall city limits. The force of the collision created a devastating chain reaction, causing Watts' vehicle to strike another passenger car that was also stopped due to the earlier incident, before ultimately colliding with a second tractor-trailer that had been involved in the initial crash. Emergency responders arrived at the scene, but Watts was pronounced dead at the location of the collision. Burgett sustained injuries in the crash and was transported to Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery for medical treatment. Alabama State Troopers are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.

Location and Infrastructure

U.S. Highway 80 serves as a major east-west corridor through Lowndes County, connecting Selma to Montgomery and carrying substantial commercial truck traffic alongside passenger vehicles. The crash occurred within the White Hall city limits, an area where the highway passes through rural stretches that can present visibility and reaction time challenges, particularly during early morning hours when lighting conditions are limited. The fact that multiple vehicles from an initial crash were stopped on the highway created an extremely hazardous situation for approaching traffic. Highway 80 in this region is known for heavy tractor-trailer traffic due to its role as a primary freight route. The presence of multiple stopped vehicles, including large commercial trucks, would have created significant obstacles on the roadway, potentially reducing visibility for approaching drivers in the pre-dawn darkness.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Alabama law, drivers involved in fatal accidents may face potential criminal charges if negligence or traffic violations are determined to have contributed to the collision. Alabama operates under a "contributory negligence" system, which can significantly impact injury and wrongful death claims. Families of deceased victims may pursue wrongful death claims under Alabama Code § 6-5-410, which allows designated family members to seek compensation for their loss. These claims must typically be filed within two years of the date of death. Potential compensation in fatal truck accident cases may include funeral and burial expenses, medical costs, lost wages and future earning capacity, and pain and suffering of surviving family members. Given the involvement of commercial vehicles, federal trucking regulations under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) may also apply. Commercial truck accidents often involve complex liability issues, including potential claims against trucking companies, vehicle owners, and insurance carriers. Multiple insurance policies may be implicated in multi-vehicle crashes of this nature.

Related Resources

Emergency Services:

• Alabama State Troopers Highway Patrol: (334) 242-4371
• Lowndes County Emergency Management Agency
• Baptist Medical Center South, Montgomery: (334) 288-8000

Traffic Safety Resources:

• Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT): www.dot.state.al.us
• Alabama Traffic Safety Information: www.alabamainteractive.org/dps_crash
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: www.nhtsa.gov

Support Services:

• Alabama Victims Assistance: (800) 626-7676
• Alabama Department of Mental Health Crisis Line: (800) 273-8255
• Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Alabama: www.madd.org/alabama

Legal Information:

• Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service: (800) 392-5660
• Alabama Code Traffic Laws: www.legislature.state.al.us
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations: www.fmcsa.dot.gov