Hoover Police urge caution after 5-day stretch of I-459 crashes, including 1 deadly

HOOVER, Ala. (WBRC) - One person is dead and several others are hurt after a series of crashes on I-459 in Hoover over five days. Now, police are reminding drivers how to stay safe after an interstate wreck.

A preliminary investigation showed someone was killed Monday morning after being hit while changing a tire on the side of the road. Other people were also injured in that crash.

“Well, it’s very tragic you know anytime there’s a life lost no matter what the circumstances are, it’s very tragic for us, and its something that our officers have to go and deal with and process along with the families of the people involved,” said Captain Daniel Lowe with the Hoover Police Department.

Hoover police say the deadly crash followed two others on Thursday, including when a woman who was outside her car was hit and taken to the hospital.

WBRC witnesses a spinout

While shooting video for this story Monday afternoon, your WBRC reporter Brady Talbert watched a car spin out on I-459 heading toward the Galleria exit. He called 911. Police later said medics were called for a minor ankle injury.

What to do if you’re in a crash

Lowe said drivers who are in a crash on the interstate should stay put.

“If you’re involved in a traffic accident, especially on the intestate, the thing that you need to do is to remain in your vehicle. Move the vehicles off the roadway if possible. If you’re inside your vehicle, you have the protections of your seatbelt and airbags and things like that.”

If you have to get out, Lowe said to get as far off the road as possible. He recommends moving behind a guardrail or up the side of a hill while you wait for first responders.

Know Alabama’s Move Over Law

Lowe also reminded drivers of Alabama’s Move Over Law. It covers police cars, fire trucks, tow trucks and other vehicles with flashing lights.

“The law requires you to either move over completely in a lane or to slow at least 15 miles an hour underneath the speed limit to ensure the safety of whoever is doing that function on the side of the road.”

Put the phone down

Lowe said drivers should never drive distracted. Police wrote a ticket Monday to a driver who was holding a cellphone, he said.

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