When traveling eastbound on U.S. 72, one would simply slow down in the right turn lane and turn right, or south, onto Alabama 247. If traveling west however, one would need to slow down in the turn lane, move into the median crossover, then cross the eastbound traffic to proceed onto Alabama 247.
Apparently, a Tuscumbia woman was trying to turn onto southbound 247 from U.S. 72, when her car was struck by a large rollback wrecker truck. The truck driver was not injured in the car accident but it cost the woman her life.
According to news sources, the truck struck the car on the passenger-side door. The impact caused both the truck and the car to slide down a small embankment where the truck hit a utility pole. Power was out in the area for a number of hours. The woman was taken to Helen Keller Hospital in Sheffield where she was pronounced dead due to unreported types of injuries.
There were no reports of alcohol or any other impairment that could have caused the accident. It could have been distracted driving or speeding or a number of other factors. The fatal car accident is being investigated by Colbert County officials.
Should the truck driver prove negligent in any way, he could be held liable for the wrongful death of the 54-year-old woman. If the 54-year-old driver was negligent and caused her own death, it remains a tragedy, although not one that is likely to wind up in court.
Source: Times Daily, "Tuscumbia woman killed in crash," Josh Skaggs, June 28, 2012
