Tuscaloosa,AL : Colbert man indicted in deadly 2016 crash on September, Wednesday 6th 2017

A Colbert County man who officials said was intoxicated while driving a car involved in a 2016 wreck that killed the passenger in his vehicle has been indicted for manslaughter.

Authorities said Travis Dewayne Simpson, 46, 5090 Alabama 20, Tuscumbia, was indicted during the August session of the Colbert County grand jury.

Reports indicate the accident that occurred in the early morning hours of Dec. 4, resulted in death of Tuesday Dawn Smith, 39, Lauderdale 8, Florence.

According to the indictment, Simpson was driving a Ford Mustang that collided with the rear of a trailer hauling hay on Alabama 20 near Uncle Joe’s Truck Stop in Tuscumbia.

In the indictment, Simpson is accused of “recklessly” causing the death of Smith by “operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.”

Police said Smith was thrown from the vehicle, going out the passenger door of the Mustang. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Simpson was taken to Helen Keller Hospital in Sheffield where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Tuscumbia police detective Capt. Stuart Setliff said the truck pulling the hay was coming from Mississippi. The driver of the truck was not injured, he said.

An investigation into the accident revealed Simpson had just left a party at a residence in Locust Shores.

Setliff said according to witnesses, the truck pulling the goose-neck trailer loaded with hay left the truck stop, crossed the westbound lane of U.S. 72, and had just turned east onto U.S. 72.

Police said the wreck occurred in the eastbound inside lane.

Authorities said after hitting the rear end of the trailer, the Mustang flipped several times before coming to a stop. Reports indicate Smith was thrown nearly 80 feet from the vehicle.

The accident was investigated by the Tuscumbia Police Department.

Simpson was arrested after being indicted. He has been released from the Colbert County Jail on bail of $20,000.

He is scheduled to be arraigned today by Colbert County Circuit Judge Hal Hughston Jr.

Manslaughter is a Class B felony and is punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison, if convicted.



Source :
Colbert man indicted in deadly 2016 crash