Authorities in Pike County, Alabama, are investigating a deadly crash involving a logging truck and two passenger vehicles that claimed the lives of two high school students and a 70-year-old man and injured five others.
The crash occurred around 10:40 p.m. Monday, July 29, on County Road 2276, known locally as the Henderson-Glenwood Road. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) said a 2008 Nissan Sentra driven by Goshen High School senior Michael Sanders, 17, struck the trailer of a logging truck that was pulling onto the road from a side road.
The crash killed Michael and 17-year-old Denny “Trey” Strickland of Luverne, Alabama. Trey was a passenger in Michael’s car. He was a senior at Crenshaw Christian Academy, where he played football and basketball.
John Paul Boswell, 17, of Goshen, was also a passenger in Michael’s vehicle. He was ejected from the vehicle and taken to a Montgomery hospital by helicopter for treatment of critical injuries.
The driver of the logging truck, West Wheeler, 70, of Troy, exited the vehicle after the crash to assist the others. At that moment, a 2007 Mercedes C230 driven by Wesley Lavon Person Jr., 23, of Goshen rounded the hill and collided with Mr. Wheeler, killing him instantly. Mr. Person’s car also hit Terry Reed of Troy, Mr. Wheeler’s son. Reed was taken to a Montgomery hospital with critical injuries. Among Reed’s injuries are two broken legs, according to the Troy Messenger.
Mr. Person, a rising-star basketball player who had just signed a contract to play professionally with the Roseto Sharks in Italy, was also injured in the crash.
Pike County Sheriff Russell Thomas told the Troy Messenger on Tuesday that John Paul Boswell and Terry Reed were “both still in ICU and … have a long way to go.”
Authorities haven’t determined what caused the crash. The Alabama State Troopers continue to investigate.
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