Georgia Woman Killed, Prattville Man Injured in Head-On U.S. 80 Crash

Marie B. Thompson, 70, of Columbus, Georgia, was critically injured and later died after a head-on collision on U.S. 80 in Russell County at 4:14 p.m., Capt. Jeremy J. Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said. "The crash happened at 4:14 p.m. on U.S. 80 in Russell County near the 200 mile marker, about 14 miles west of Phenix City," Burkett said.

"A 2019 Nissan Rogue" driven by Thompson collided head-on with a 2017 Dodge Journey, Capt. Burkett’s account identified. "Marie B. Thompson, 70, was critically injured when the 2019 Nissan Rogue she was driving collided head-on with the 2017 Dodge Journey driven by Kevin A. Parham, 40, of Prattville." Thompson was taken to Piedmont Columbus Regional-Midtown in Columbus, Georgia, where she died; Parham was taken to the same hospital for treatment.

ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division is leading the crash investigation. "ALEA's Highway Patrol Division continues to investigate, Burkett said." The initial incident report provided no information on citations, suspected impairment, seat belt use, airbag deployment, roadway conditions, or whether there were other occupants in either vehicle.

The collision occurred on a stretch of U.S. 80 frequently used by motorists crossing between Phenix City and Columbus; the crash site is listed at the 200 mile marker, about 14 miles west of Phenix City. Kevin A. Parham is identified in the report as a Prattville resident; authorities transported both drivers to the Piedmont Columbus Regional-Midtown emergency department for evaluation and treatment.

Local traffic safety history shows other recent fatal crashes on Alabama highways that are separate incidents and under different investigations. A multi-vehicle wreck on U.S. 82 near the 105-mile marker, about one mile southwest of Maplesville in Chilton County, left 20-year-old Lindsey R. Lugen of Prattville dead after her 2013 Hyundai Sonata struck a 1985 Chevrolet Corvette and then collided head-on with a 2013 Chrysler Town and Country, ABC33/40 reported; the other drivers included 40-year-old Shelby T. Jones of Clanton and 63-year-old Anna L. Walker of Tuscaloosa, the latter airlifted to UAB Hospital and a 17-year-old passenger taken to a local hospital.

A separate, earlier crash on Highway 80 East at the 184 mile marker in Macon County identified James McCorvey, 71, of Columbus as fatally injured after his vehicle was sideswiped and collided with a vehicle driven by Derrick Shelton, 39, of Prattville; two others were taken to East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, according to a WTVM account carrying a 2018 copyright. Another distinct incident on Alabama 51 west of Hurtsboro in Bullock County resulted in the death of 61-year-old Maria C. Aguilar Perez of Columbus, with other drivers taken to Baptist Center South in Montgomery, per WSFA.

ALEA investigators and the Russell County coroner have been identified as the primary authorities in the U.S. 80 investigation; the initial release did not include a crash report number or coroner confirmation beyond the hospital notification. Reporters and residents seeking further official details should expect updates from ALEA's Highway Patrol Division as the agency continues its inquiry.