Lincoln, AL – A multi-vehicle crash on Friday, December 29, at approximately 11:16 a.m., has resulted in the loss of a Ragland woman’s life. Lori M. Laber, 43, lost her life when the 2017 Honda Civic she was driving became involved in a collision with multiple vehicles, including a Kenworth dump truck and a Dodge Charger.
The fatal crash unfolded on Alabama 77 near the 80-mile marker, within the city limits of Lincoln, located in Talladega County. The circumstances leading to the collision reveal that Laber’s Honda Civic was struck from behind by a 2021 Dodge Charger, which was driven by a Trooper assigned to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division. Subsequently, Laber’s vehicle was struck by a 2015 Kenworth dump truck driven by 59-year-old Stephen J. Hopkins of Pell City.
Lori M. Laber was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision. The impact caused her to be ejected from the vehicle, and she was pronounced deceased at the scene. The crash extended to a passenger in the Honda, identified as Jesse R. Ecker Jr., 43, also from Ragland. Ecker, who was likewise not using a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle and transported to Citizens Baptist Medical Center in Talladega for treatment.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division is currently conducting an ongoing investigation into the incident. Further information regarding the circumstances leading to the crash is pending the completion of the investigation by ALEA Troopers.
