Montgomery, AL — March 1, 2025, Angie Stone was killed and Leethel Carter, Anthony Majors Jr., Ashton Evans, Dontay Dailey, James Owens, Sheila Hopkins, Sherie Murphy and Sherita Murphy were injured in a truck accident at about 4:25 a.m. on Interstate 65.

Authorities said a 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van overturned south of Montgomery then was hit by a 2021 Freightliner semi-truck.

Van passenger Angie Stone, 63, died in the crash, while eight others were injured according to authorities.

Driver Leethel Carter, 63, and passengers Anthony Majors Jr., 44, Ashton Evans, 31, Dontay Dailey, 32; James Owens, 33, Sheila Hopkins, 62, Sherie Murphy, 44, and Sherita Murphy, 44, suffered undisclosed injuries in the crash, authorities said. They were transported to a local hospital for treatment.

No other injuries were reported.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash near mile marker 162 at this time. The accident remains under investigation.

Commentary

This crash raises a key question: Why did the Sprinter van overturn in the first place? Reports indicate that the semi-truck struck the van after it had already flipped, meaning the initial cause of the van’s loss of control is just as important as the secondary collision with the truck.

One of the first things investigators need to determine is what caused the van to overturn. Was it speeding? Did the driver overcorrect after veering out of their lane? Did a tire blowout or mechanical issue contribute? Reviewing black box data, witness statements and road conditions will be critical in understanding how the van ended up in such a vulnerable position.

Another factor to consider is road conditions at the time of the crash. This happened at 4:25 a.m., a time when driver fatigue is a real concern. Was the van driver drowsy or distracted? Were weather conditions a factor? Early-morning crashes often involve reduced visibility, which may have played a role in both the van’s overturning and the truck driver’s ability to react in time.

The semi-truck driver’s role in the crash should also be examined. Once the van overturned, was the truck driver given enough time to stop or swerve? On a highway, semis need a significant distance to come to a complete stop. Investigators should review black box data and any available dashcam footage to determine the truck’s speed and reaction time before impact.

Finally, seating positions and safety restraints inside the van should be reviewed. Passenger vans can be particularly dangerous in rollover crashes, especially if occupants are unrestrained or if the van was overloaded. If seat belts weren’t used or if the van was carrying too many passengers, that could have contributed to the severity of the injuries.

At this stage, there isn’t enough public information to determine exactly what led to this crash. But if authorities focus only on the truck hitting the overturned van without investigating why the van overturned in the first place, they risk missing key details. A full investigation should look at vehicle conditions, driver actions, and road factors to ensure a complete understanding of what happened.