I-65 wreck injures driver of car
The driver of this car was airlifted to Huntsville Hospital Monday morning after he was removed by Hartselle firefighters with the help of extrication tools. | Clif Knight
One person was seriously injured in a truck-car collision on I-65 about a mile south of the Alabama 36 interchange on I-65 early Monday morning.
Hartselle firefighters used extrication tools to rescue Sharon G. Prince, 56, of Rogersville from her late model sedan after it landed in a drainage ditch under the weight of a 18-wheeler loaded with cast iron pipe. She was airlifted by Air Evac to Huntsville Hospital where she was later listed in serious but stable condition.
The driver of the truck was Carence McGee, 69, of Birmingham. He excaped without injury.
Both truck and car were apparently traveling north when they exited the left lane of I-65 and skidded down an embankment for about 75 yards before coming to a stop. The trailer overturned dumping part of its load on top of the car. A large pine tree was clipped off at its base and fell on top of the wreckage.
Hartselle police and firefighters responded to the accident at 7:35 a.m.
“The car’s engine was smoking when we arrived,” said Fire Chief Steve Shelton, “and there was a concern about a fuel leak and a fire. We were lucky that didn’t happen.”
Northbound traffic on the interstate was limited to the inside lane and was backed up to the Falkville exit.
Hartselle police investigators were still on the scene at 9 a.m.
