Dolly Parton Bridge Accident – On Tuesday, a man made a dramatic escape from a multi-vehicle crash by jumping off the “Dolly Parton” bridge on Interstate 65.
The incident, which blocked the northbound lanes on the highway in Baldwin County, occurred around 6:27 a.m. near the 28-mile marker at the General W.K. Wilson Jr. Bridge.
According to the Alabama Department of Transportation, the crash involved a complex chain of collisions among three eighteen-wheelers, six cars, and one truck with a box trailer. Despite the severity of the incident, which left several people injured, there were no reported fatalities.
The man, who was a passenger in one of the vehicles involved, decided to exit his vehicle and leap from the bridge to evade further injury as the collisions continued around him.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division has taken charge of the investigation. An ALEA spokesperson provided details of the man’s desperate move, explaining that the ongoing crashes likely influenced his decision to jump. The Crossroad Volunteer Fire Department responded promptly, rescuing the man from his precarious situation.
He was subsequently transported to a nearby hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries. The quick action of the emergency responders ensured that his injuries were not life-threatening.
The aftermath of the crash saw a significant disruption in traffic flow. Both northbound lanes of Interstate 65 were closed for several hours as crews worked diligently to clear the wreckage and assist the injured. The closure caused considerable delays for commuters and highlighted the dangers of multi-vehicle accidents on busy highways.
By 11:15 a.m., both northbound lanes had been reopened, restoring normal traffic flow. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety and the potential hazards posed by large-scale traffic collisions. The ALEA continues to investigate the factors leading up to the crash, aiming to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
As the investigation proceeds, authorities will likely look into the conditions that contributed to the crash, including weather, road conditions, and the actions of the drivers involved. This tragic event emphasizes the need for ongoing vigilance and adherence to traffic laws to ensure the safety of all road users.