Etowah County, AL — A tragic four-vehicle crash on U.S. 431 near Lucky Mountain Road claimed the life of a 45-year-old Jacksonville man on December 6.
Derrick L. McCormick was fatally injured when the Chevrolet he was driving veered off the road, struck a road sign, and overturned, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). The impact of the collision caused the road sign to hit a Chrysler driven by Katelynn Paulson, 19, of Munford.
The crash continued to escalate as an air compressor thrown from McCormick’s Chevrolet struck a 2018 Ford Focus driven by Bradley D. Frey, 68, of Ashville. The Chevrolet then crossed into the opposite lanes of traffic and collided with a 2008 Peterbilt 389 tractor-trailer driven by James W. Barksdale, 52, of Horton, before overturning and leaving the roadway.
McCormick, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene. Frey sustained injuries and was transported to Riverview Regional Medical Center for treatment.
The incident occurred approximately five miles north of Attalla. ALEA troopers are continuing to investigate the crash.
