9 Children and 1 Adult Were Killed in Alabama Crash
A wreck on an Alabama interstate has left at least 10 people dead, including nine children. A pile-up involving at least 15 vehicles happened around 2:30 p.m. Saturday on Interstate 65 in Butler County between mile markers 137 and 138. That’s located just past exit 130 in Greenville, Alabama, some 40 miles south of that state capital of Montgomery,
Much of central Alabama was enduring torrential rains and high winds at the time as a result of the Tropical Depression Claudette. Butler County Coroner Wayne Garlock said the vehicles likely hydroplaned on the wet road. A father and his 9-month-old daughter in one vehicle were killed; eight other minors riding in a Tallapoosa County Girls Ranch vehicle also died in the wreck. They were between ages 4 to 17, Garlock said.
The National Transportation Safety Board said 10 investigators would arrive on the scene Sunday evening to examine "vehicle technologies such as forward collision warning systems, CMV fuel tank integrity, motor carrier operations and occupant survivability."The Butler County Coroner’s Office told Fox News they plan on releasing the names of two of the victims later Sunday. Still, their agency will not release the remaining eight names because those minors were in the custody of the Alabama Department of Human Resources’ Child Protective Services.
Alabama's Department of Human Resources (DHR) confirmed that three juvenile victims were in its custody and that the department was working with a fourth child who died. DHR said it is still evaluating how it will release the victims' names, adding that some of the victims have relatives that need to be notified.
"Our hearts are heavy today. Our ranch has suffered great loss. As some of you may have heard, one of our ranch vehicles was involved in a multiple car accident this afternoon," Tallapoosa County Girls Ranch wrote on its Facebook page Saturday. "Please send prayers our way as we navigate this difficult time. We will update information as we can, and if you have any questions, feel free to contact us. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers and for respecting the privacy of our large and extended families."
DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner praised the youth ranch, saying it "gave these young girls the gift of hope and empowered them to overcome hardship."However, our hearts ache for all the lives lost in this devastating accident," Buckner said. "As we remember their lives and mourn their loss, we take some comfort in knowing their hearts filled with the love, happiness and friendship all children deserve."Alabama Sheriffs Youth Ranches CEO Michael Smith also offered his condolences in a statement early Sunday.
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