White Hall, Alabama (October 21, 2025) — A 41-year-old Selma man was killed early Tuesday morning in a multi-vehicle crash involving two tractor-trailers on U.S. Highway 80 in Lowndes County, according to Alabama State Troopers.
Incident Details: The fatal collision occurred just after 3:30 a.m. within the city limits of White Hall. Investigators said Kenneth Watts was driving a car that had come to a stop on the highway after being involved in a previous crash. While stopped, his vehicle was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer driven by 24-year-old Timothy Burgett of Hope Hull. The impact forced Watts’ car into another vehicle that was also disabled from the earlier wreck, and then into a second tractor-trailer that had stopped ahead. Watts was pronounced dead at the scene. Burgett sustained injuries and was taken to Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery for treatment. No additional injuries were reported.
Investigation: Alabama State Troopers continue investigating the sequence of events that led to the chain-reaction crash. Early reports suggest vehicles partially blocked the roadway from a prior collision, creating a dangerous situation in the pre-dawn hours. Investigators will assess whether inadequate visibility, speed, or driver fatigue contributed to the tractor-trailer’s inability to stop in time. They will also examine whether emergency lights or flares were deployed at the scene of the earlier crashes, and whether the semi-truck driver maintained a safe following distance in the moments before impact.
Chain-reaction crashes involving multiple commercial trucks often require detailed reconstruction to determine which impacts caused fatal injuries and to identify all potentially responsible parties. Troopers are expected to analyze physical evidence, roadway markings, and data from vehicle event recorders as part of their ongoing investigation.
Legal Considerations: Collisions involving stopped vehicles and commercial trucks frequently give rise to complex questions of liability. If the tractor-trailer driver who rear-ended Kenneth Watts’ vehicle is found negligent, whether through inattention, speeding, or fatigue, his employer may also share responsibility. The family of Kenneth Watts may be entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim to recover compensation for funeral costs, lost financial support, and the emotional impact of their loss.
Because multiple vehicles and prior crashes were involved, the investigation may reveal several layers of potential liability, including the operators of the previously disabled vehicles if they failed to properly secure or warn approaching traffic. An experienced truck accident attorney would likely review trooper reports, driver logs, and company maintenance records to identify every factor contributing to the collision. Establishing accountability in multi-vehicle trucking crashes is essential to ensure families receive the justice they deserve.
I extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Kenneth Watts and hope for the recovery of all others injured in this tragic crash.
Source: WAKA News