DeKalb County, AL (April 30, 2026) – A three-vehicle crash on Interstate 59 near mile marker 140 left one man dead and two others injured in DeKalb County.
Emergency units responded around 5:20 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29, to the area about one mile south of the Alabama-Georgia border. Authorities said a 2003 Ford F-150 driven by 62-year-old Alvin D. Benefield of Ider struck a 2023 Volvo tractor-trailer before colliding head-on with a 2020 Ford F-150.
Benefield was pronounced dead at the scene after being ejected from his vehicle. The driver of the second pickup, 47-year-old Richard W. Bivins of Jacksonville, was injured and taken to a hospital in Chattanooga for treatment. A passenger in his vehicle, 53-year-old Jermaine White of Verbena, was also hurt and transported for medical care.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured in the crash. No additional details about contributing factors have been released.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as soon as they become available. We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased.
How Multi-Vehicle Crashes on Highways Can Lead to Severe Outcomes
Crashes involving multiple vehicles on highways can be severe due to high speeds and the number of impacts. When one collision occurs, it can quickly lead to additional crashes, especially if other drivers have limited time to react.
Large vehicles like tractor-trailers can increase the force of impact during a crash. Smaller vehicles involved in these incidents may experience greater damage depending on how the collision unfolds.
Factors such as lane position, vehicle spacing, and driver reaction time all influence how these crashes develop. When vehicles cross into other lanes or strike multiple vehicles, the risk of serious injury or fatal outcomes can increase.
