July 18, 2009 - Dwight Hayes
For the second time in eight days grinding auto accidents have caused serious injuries and shut down traffic on the highway for extended periods.  Two victims were flown by helicopter to Huntsville Hospital.  Three were transported to Marshall Medical Center North.  One person in another vehicle that was not directly involved in the wreck was also transported to Marshall Medical Center North.

The second accident occurred at 12:21 Saturday afternoon near Don's Convenience Store.  Emergency personnel responded to the accident which involved a 2006 Kia Spectra driven by John Fincher of Baileyton age 49 and a 1991 Isuzu Rodeo driven by Thomas Johnson of Arab age 16.  Both drivers were transported to MMCN by Marshall Health System EMS.  According to police reports, Johnson was headed Eastbound on Cullman Road and Fincher was waiting to turn into Don’s Convenience when Johnson’s Rodeo struck Fincher’s Spectra in the rear.

Two passengers in the Kia Spectra were flown to Huntsville Hospital.  Beverly Fincher, age 18 of Baileyton was transported by Huntsville Hospital Medflight helicopter.  Fincher, who is 8 months pregnant was listed in stable condition in a Huntsville Hospital Intensive Care Unit.  Cody Thompson, age 20 of Baileyton, a backseat passenger in the Kia was flown to Huntsville Hospital by a AirEvac Lifeteam helicopter and was listed in serious condition.

Conner Foster, age 15, a passenger in the Isuzu Rodeo was transported to MMCN by Arab Fire Rescue.  A passenger in a Chevrolet Suburban which was not directly involved in the accident was also transported to Marshall Medical Center North.  The unidentified passenger was injured as the driver of the Suburban hit the brakes hard and swerved to avoid the collision.

An Arab Police Department investigation of the accident is being headed by Sergeant Seth Sullivan.  Sullivan said that no charges are expected to be filed in the accident.  Traffic was rerouted around the accident for more than an hour in order to allow EMS personnel to treat the victims and for police to investigate the accident scene.

Due to the seriousness of injuries, Arab Police officers begin an intensive investigation of the Cullman Road wreck Saturday afternoon.  Officers spent about an hour taking measurements and marking the position of vehicles, skid marks, and other items in the wreck.  Arab Today Photo by Dwight Hayes

The rear luggage compartment of this 2006 Kia Spectra was driven into the back seat area by the impact of the other vehicle. Cody Thompson was a passenger in the back seat of this vehicle.                                                      Arab Today Photo by Dwight Hayes

This 1991 Isuzu Rodeo crashed into the rear of a 2006 Kia Spectra near Don's Convenience Store Saturday afternoon.  Arab Today Photo by Dwight Hayes