According to Moody fire chief James Robinson, the trouble started at around 3:20 a.m., when a single-vehicle accident occurred on the bridge near Exit 147.
“There were two occupants (in the vehicle) and they kind of just banged against the rails,” Robinson said. “Their vehicle was disabled on the bridge, and several others were stopped behind them on the road. Police officers arrived on the scene and they were talking with the occupants.”
At that point, Robinson said, an 18-wheeler traveling east came down the hill and was unable to react quickly enough to the scene in front of him.
“He kind of just plowed through the whole thing,” he said.
Robinson said his department transported five people to Birmingham with injuries, including one of the occupants involved in the original crash, who fell off the bridge in an attempt to escape the second accident.
“He fell approximately 45 feet,” Robinson said. “We sent a rescue team down and transported him to the trauma unit at UAB.”
Robinson said the injured man’s injuries were not life-threatening, but he did sustain some serious fractures to his lower leg.
HAZMAT units also responded, due to the presence of 100-150 gallons of diesel fuel spilled out onto the roadway. Robinson said the interstate was closed until approximately 8:30 a.m. Monday.
“First and foremost, none of the injuries were life-threatening,” he said. “We also had some emergency responders on the scene, and we’re very fortunate they weren’t injured as well.
“It kind of underscores the need to pay attention on the roadways. People tend to drive a lot faster than they can see in front of them.”
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