SHELBY COUNTY—Donald M. Harris, a 76-year-old resident of Vincent, lost his life on Wednesday in a two-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 280 in Shelby County, according to a report from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
The crash occurred at approximately 3:53 p.m. near the 19-mile marker, about three miles east of Chelsea.
SCHP troopers reported that Harris was driving a 2010 Toyota Tacoma when the vehicle collided head-on with another car.
Harris was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders.
The driver of the other vehicle sustained unspecified injuries and was transported to an area hospital for medical treatment. Officials have not disclosed the extent of the injuries or the driver’s identity.
Both vehicles were significantly damaged in the crash.
Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Highway Patrol Division are leading the investigation. Preliminary findings from the ongoing inquiry will seek to determine the events leading up to the crash, including possible contributing factors such as road conditions, vehicle speeds, or other circumstances.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency continues to remind drivers of the importance of wearing seatbelts and exercising caution to help prevent such tragic incidents.
The investigation will likely yield additional details.
Donald Harris tragically killed in Shelby County 2-vehicle accident
Incident Location
CRASH INVESTIGATION
In 2018, the U.S. Department of Transportation Fatality Analysis Reporting System recorded 33,654 fatal motor vehicle crashes in the United States, resulting in 36,560 deaths.
“Road conditions, visibility, and lighting are all potential contributing factors that are considered and examined,” stated Candice Bond, an experienced attorney and Managing Partner at Bond Legal.
“Sometimes, an accident reconstruction team is required to piece together what happened. All these resources are essential in helping clients receive financial compensation for damages or a loss after an accident,” added Bond.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family of Donald Harris could pursue a wrongful death claim. Relatives of wrongful death victims are entitled to seek damages for the loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a tragic or catastrophic accident.
“The stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident,” said Bond.
“We understand the hardships that families face, and it’s crucial to protect their rights. A wrongful death lawyer will keep abreast of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are safeguarded.”
If you or a family member have been involved in a situation similar to this article and would like to speak to our national legal analyst Candice Bond free of charge, please use the contact information found on this page
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Accident Injury News can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-986-7738 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).
