Fatal Multi-Vehicle Crash on I-65 Near Montgomery Claims Life of Angie L. Stone, 63

A tragic multi-vehicle collision on Interstate 65 near Montgomery early Saturday morning resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries. According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), the incident occurred at approximately 4:25 a.m. on I-65 near the 162 mile marker, approximately five miles south of Montgomery. Angie L. Stone, a 63-year-old resident of Locust Grove, Georgia, lost her life when the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van in which she was traveling was struck by a 2021 Freightliner Cascadia. The commercial truck was operated by 33-year-old Jared S. Wilkinson of Skidmore, Texas. ALEA officials reported that the Mercedes-Benz had previously been involved in a single-vehicle crash and had overturned before the subsequent collision with the Freightliner. Eight other occupants of the Mercedes-Benz sustained injuries in the crash, including the driver, 66-year-old Leethel Carter of Atlanta, and seven passengers ranging in age from 31 to 62. All injured parties were transported to medical facilities for treatment. Emergency responders from multiple agencies were dispatched to the scene, working to provide aid to the victims and secure the crash site.

Location and Infrastructure

Interstate 65 is a major north-south highway corridor that runs through central Alabama, serving as a critical transportation route connecting Birmingham to Montgomery and continuing south to Mobile. The section where this accident occurred, near the 162 mile marker south of Montgomery, is a high-traffic segment that experiences considerable commercial vehicle movement as well as passenger traffic. This stretch of I-65 typically features six lanes of traffic (three in each direction) with a median barrier and shoulders. The roadway in this area is relatively straight but experiences heavy freight traffic due to its function as a major logistics corridor connecting the Gulf Coast to central and northern Alabama. The accident location sits approximately five miles south of Montgomery's city limits, where the speed limit is typically 70 mph for passenger vehicles and 65 mph for trucks. This section of interstate is maintained by the Alabama Department of Transportation and regularly patrolled by state troopers.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Alabama law, victims of multi-vehicle accidents have important legal rights to consider. Alabama operates under a "contributory negligence" system, which means that if a party is found even partially at fault for an accident, they may be barred from recovering damages. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Alabama is generally two years from the date of the accident, giving victims a limited timeframe to pursue legal action. Families who have lost loved ones may be eligible to file wrongful death claims, which in Alabama are brought by the personal representative of the deceased's estate. Potential compensation may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, funeral expenses, and loss of companionship. Insurance considerations are complex in commercial vehicle accidents, often involving multiple policies including commercial liability coverage, personal auto insurance, and potentially underinsured motorist coverage. Those affected by this accident should consider consulting with a personal injury attorney experienced in commercial vehicle collisions.

Related Resources

Emergency Services

• Montgomery Fire/Rescue: (334) 625-3916
• Alabama State Troopers Montgomery Post: (334) 242-4393
• Baptist Medical Center South: (334) 288-2100

Traffic Safety Resources

• Alabama Department of Transportation: (334) 242-6358
• Alabama Strategic Highway Safety Plan: https://www.dot.state.al.us/programs/SHSP.html
• Drive Safe Alabama: https://drivesafealabama.org/

Support Services

• Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission: (800) 541-9388
• VOCAL (Victims of Crime and Leniency): (334) 262-7197
• Alabama Head Injury Foundation: (800) 433-8002

Legal References

• Alabama Code Title 32 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic): https://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/alison/CodeOfAlabama/1975/Coatoc.htm
• Alabama Rules of the Road: https://www.alea.gov/dps/driver-license/driver-license-division/rules-road
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Regulations: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations