THE BIG STORY: 13 people injured, no deaths after crash on Dolly Parton bridge
UPDATE (5:35 p.m.): First responders say it was a chaotic scene Tuesday morning as a crash involving 10 vehicles happened on Interstate 65 Northbound on the Dolly Parton Bridge.
“As we were responding we were getting multiple reports of entrapment as well as multiple patients in multiple vehicles,” said Chief Mike Minchew with the Bay Minette Fire Department.
According to authorities, 13 people were injured and transported from the scene.
That includes one woman who had to be extricated from her vehicle and a man who jumped off the bridge to get out of the way of an 18-wheeler.
“We set up a rope rescue to be able to get a crew down to the patient that was over the side of the bridge and start treating him and waited for a boat from Crossroads Fire Department to show up.”
Although the woman trapped in her vehicle and the man who jumped off the bridge were reported to have suffered critical injuries, officials say there have been no reported deaths in connection with the crash.
Minchew told News 5 that state troopers are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash.
UPDATE (12:53 p.m.): WKRG News 5 has more information on the wreck that happened on the General W.K. Wilson Jr. Bridge, also known as the Dolly Parton Bridge, this morning.
Watch The Big Story recap, in the video above, as authorities share an update on the wreck and News 5 speaks to witnesses of the crash.
According to officials, the wreck, which involved 10 vehicles — six cars, three 18-wheelers, and a box truck — had no deaths, but the Alabama Department of Transporation said there were multiple injuries, including one man who was rescued from the scene after jumping off the bridge when he saw an 18-wheeler.
News 5’s Asher Redd reported that the airbags had been deployed and spoke to a driver who said there were no tire marks as the road conditions were wet at the time of the crash.
Although all I-65 northbound lanes have since reopened, many people were stuck in traffic for hours. News 5’s Devon Walsh spoke with Eric Chitty right when traffic began moving.
Chitty said he was about a mile over the top of the bridge on I-65 North, “Heading to Atmore for a meeting, got stuck in traffic at 6:45 to a dead stop, and have been here ever since.”
Lanes have been open since just before 11 a.m. and News 5’s Caroline Carithers said they are back to normal speeds as of noon.
UPDATE (11:26 a.m.): According to Alabama Law Enforcement Agency officials, a man jumped off the bridge during the crash on I-65 northbound and landed in a grassy area.
He was rescued and taken to a local hospital for treatment, News 5 has learned.
Our team is on the scene of the crash — here are photos from the incident.
We’re working to learn more from witnesses.
UPDATE (10:54 a.m.): Despite traffic officials’ previous forecast estimating “several hours” before all lanes on the Delta bridge would reopen, the Alabama Department of Transportation has released a new update that says, “All lanes are now open to traffic!”
UPDATE (10:43 a.m.): News 5 has learned more about the traffic crash on the General W.K. Wilson Jr. Bridge, known to locals as the “Dolly Patron Bridge.”
The crash, located near mile marker 27, involved three 18-wheelers, six cars, and one truck with a box trailer, according to the Alabama Department of Transporation.
“Multiple injuries, no fatalities,” an ALDOT Facebook post said, adding there was no hazardous material involved and no damage to the bridge.
The bridge isn’t expected to fully reopen for “several hours.”
UPDATE (10:30 a.m.): The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency says, “The right northbound lane of Interstate 65 near the 28 mile marker, in Baldwin County, is now open.”
However, the press release said, “The left lane remains closed at this time.”
ORIGINAL STORY:
BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG) — A multiple-vehicle crash along I-65 in Baldwin County has caused part of the northbound lanes to be closed.
According to the Alabama Department of Transportation, the crash involves three 18-wheelers, six cars, and one truck.
‘It’s just the right time’: Baldwin Co. Sheriff Hoss Mack leaving office in good hands
An Alabama Law Enforcement Agency news release said the crash happened near the 28-mile marker at the General W.K. Wilson Jr. Bridge, known to locals as the “Dolly Patron Bridge.”
Video that News 5 received showed some of the vehicles involved in the crash with damage. A blue truck can be seen with the hood smashed up and in front of the truck on the street are pieces seemingly from the vehicle.
News 5 called officials with the Mobile River Delta and Campgound, on Dead Lake Marina Road, who said traffic is backed up on the bridge.
It’s unknown how long the lanes will be closed as ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division continues to investigate.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
