Woman was killed in a crash near Ashville Alabama

An Ashville woman was killed in a wreck on Interstate 59 Friday afternoon after the pickup she was driving was hit from behind by an 18-wheeler that did not slow down for traffic stopped for another wreck, Etowah County Deputy Coroner Michael Head said.

Head said the woman has been identified as Martha Brightman, 61.The five-vehicle wreck happened about 2:30 p.m. while northbound traffic was almost stopped on Interstate 59 near the Alabama Highway 77 interchange, at exit 181.A wreck with minor injuries had occurred about .2 miles north of the exit and Attalla police officers were investigating that wreck.

Traffic was down to one lane and moving very slowly with an 18-wheeler almost stopped, Head saidHe said a Dodge pickup was behind the first 18-wheeler and a Ford pickup was behind the Dodge. He said Brightman was in a 2001 Chevrolet 1500 pickup behind the Ford when an second 18-wheeler was headed north and came up behind the Chevrolet.He said the driver of the 18-wheeler never hit the brakes and was going at least 65 miles per hour.

The impact pushed the Chevrolet into the front 18-wheeler and spun the Ford pickup around, and it was wedged underneath the first 18-wheeler, Head said.The driver of the Ford pickup was trapped and flown to a Birmingham hospital by a helicopter that landed in the interstate, Head said.

He said the driver of the Dodge pickup saw the approaching 18-wheeler, realized what was happening and was able to swerve slightly. The Dodge pickup had minimal damage, Head said.
Brightman was pronounced dead at the scene of the wreck. Head said her body will be sent for an autopsy and the district attorney's office also is investigating the wreck with Alabama State Troopers.