Crash Involving 18-Wheeler and Car Shuts I-65 Northbound Near CR 40

An 18-wheeler collided with a passenger car on Interstate 65 northbound at the Autauga County 40 Bridge near County Road 40, forcing the closure of northbound traffic and producing reported injuries, WAKA Action 8 News said. WAKA reported the crash occurred "at about 9 Tuesday night" and that "state troopers are working an accident involving an 18-wheeler and another car."

Accounts of lane closures and the precise mile marker differ across reports. WSFA said "a crash on I-65 North near mile marker 189 just past CR 40 in Pine Level is blocking the left shoulder and left lane" and added "Drivers are asked to use caution while traveling through this area." An initial advisory summarized in another traffic bulletin said, "A major crash was reported on Interstate 65 Northbound at milepost 196.12 near CR40 in Autauga County, Alabama, leading to minor delays." Those discrepancies suggest conditions evolved at the scene or that reporters referenced different markers near CR 40.

WAKA's bulletin stated "Authorities say both lanes lanes are shut down. There are reported injuries." No outlet in the available reports provided a confirmed injury count or identified victims. WSFA noted only that "No further information is available at this time." Local emergency response details were not included in the WAKA and WSFA dispatch excerpts, and ADOT updates were referenced but the full advisory text was not available in the initial bulletin.

The I-65 corridor through Pine Level and Autauga County has seen serious crashes in recent years. A May 14, 2019 northbound collision near mile marker 195 involved two tractor-trailers and resulted in one fatality, according to a legal firm’s account that said "Mr. Robert Atherton, 56, was pronounced dead at the scene according to officials with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency." Separately, the Montgomery Advertiser reported a July 4, 2025 crash in Pine Level on southbound I-65 at mile marker 193 in which "Six people had serious to 'life-threatening' injuries" and two helicopters airlifted the most seriously injured to Birmingham hospitals. Those incidents underline safety and response challenges on this stretch of I-65.

State troopers were identified as the on-scene law enforcement presence in WAKA’s coverage. The Alabama Department of Transportation was reported to have provided updates in the initial advisory, though the full ADOT bulletin was not included in the materials reviewed. Investigative responsibility and final cause for the current crash have not been released; officials have not yet provided a detailed timeline, exact milepost confirmation, or definitive casualty figures in the available reports.

Traffic impacts remain subject to change as emergency units and towing clear the scene. Authorities and ADOT are expected to issue updated traffic advisories and an official incident report that will confirm the exact location, number of vehicles involved, and the status of those injured.