Hayden, AL (May 18, 2026) – Four people were hurt in a multi-vehicle collision on May 17, U.S. 31 near mile marker 304, about five miles west of Hayden in Blount County. The series of events involved a Ford Bronco, a Kenworth tractor-trailer, a Honda Civic, and a Ford Mustang.
The Honda Civic driven by Joshua D. Loggins, 25, first hit the Kenworth tractor-trailer driven by Douglas E. Knot, 68, and the Ford Mustang driven by Michael D. Holloway, 71, was also involved in the chain of events. The Ford Bronco driven by Jason R. Kirk, 51, was struck by the Kenworth, and he was fatally hurt.
Knot, Loggins, and Holloway were taken to UAB Hospital in Birmingham and reported hurt.
Troopers continue to investigate the sequence of events unfolding around the multi-vehicle collision.
Our condolences go out to the loved ones of Jason R. Kirk during this difficult time.
Multi-Vehicle Highway Accident Patterns
Multi-vehicle highway incidents often involve a chain reaction where one initial movement leads to several vehicles becoming involved in a short period of time. These situations can develop quickly, especially on routes with steady traffic flow or limited spacing between vehicles. Investigators typically review vehicle positions, travel directions, and roadway conditions to better understand how each vehicle became part of the sequence.
Driver attention, speed variations, and following distance are commonly examined factors in these types of situations. Even small delays in reaction time can contribute to additional impacts involving nearby traffic. Road design and visibility conditions may play a role in how drivers respond to sudden changes ahead.
In many cases, early reports provide only limited details while more information is gathered from vehicle inspections and witness accounts. This helps build a clearer picture of how the chain of events developed over time.
