Photo/Hal Yeager
BIRMINGHAM– Governor Robert Bentley says there has been at least five people who have died from weather-related traffic accidents across the state. He confirmed that the deaths he is aware of were caused from motor vehicle accidents, not exposure from the extreme cold .
Alabama State Troopers have identified five people who have lost their lives in traffic accidents that may have been related to the winter weather we have been experiencing in Alabama.
Two people were killed on Tuesday when the pickup they were in and a train collided two miles north of Cottondale. Victims were identified by Troopers as 57-year-old Charles Kelly Meiklejohn of Gulf Shores and 39-Year-old Nahum Terrance Mickles of Foley.
29-year-old Tyrell Harris and his 2-year-old son Rayne Harris of Wetumpka were killed in a seven vehicle pile-up on Alabama Highway 14 west of Wetumpka. According to Troopers the preliminary investigation indicates ice on a bridge as a factor in the pile-up. And a two vehicle auto crash on Tuesday in Perry County Claimed one of the drivers, 64-year-old Emma Evans of Birmingham. The accident occurred 12 miles north of Marion on Alabama Highway 5.
The governor reported 213 injuries that have been attributed to the winter storm.
Helicopters are now in the air and flying over afflicted areas to rescue stranded people. The governor said when they see areas where cars are congregated the put down the helicopter to rescue the people who are still in their cars.
Governor Bentley said the state of emergency will stay in effect as long as necessary.
