One person was killed and two others critically injured in a single vehicle accident on North Presley Street that occurred at approximately 9:37 p.m. Sunday.

According to Atmore Police Department officials at the scene, the driver of a purple, older model Ford Crown Victoria with the lettering “Pixie Dust” on the side lost control as he crossed the CSX railroad tracks near City Hall traveling north and crashed. It appears that the driver of the vehicle, which was carrying two passengers, traveled into a ditch when he lost control and struck a “No Passing Zone” sign sending the vehicle spinning.

One of the occupants of the vehicle, who was identified as 23-year-old Adam D. Patterson of Atmore, died at the scene of the crash. Two separate Lifeflight helicopters transported the other two occupants from the parking lot of Atmore City Hall. Willie Lee Patrick, 34, of Mobile was flown to USA Medical Center in Mobile for treatment of his injuries, while 49-year-old Carlton T. Hunt of New York was transported to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, Fla.

According to a press release issued by the APD Monday morning, an Atmore officer was on patrol traveling southbound on South Presley Street when he observed the vehicle traveling northbound at a high rate of speed. The vehicle ran the stop sign at South Presley and East Horner streets. When the officer turned his patrol vehicle around, the vehicle passed the officer, who activated his emergency lights. The vehicle continued to speed up, ran the stop sign at South Presley and Church streets and ran the red light at South Presley Street and East Nashville Avenue almost striking a motorist. The vehicle then crossed the railroad tracks sending it airborne and crashing.

It was originally believed that the vehicle rolled at least once before coming to a rest on its wheels in a nearby ditch, but Alabama State Troopers at the scene of the crash assisting with the investigation said Monday that they do not believe the vehicle rolled. The Troopers were on hand surveying the path of the vehicle prior to the accident to establish an estimated speed before impact. Results were unavailable at press time.

Parts from the car and contents from inside the car were scattered along the roadway including numerous beer cans and an empty beer box, but it has not been determined if alcohol was a factor in the crash. A cross has been placed at the scene of the crash near the debris as a memorial for Patterson. Friends and family have visited the scene numerous times since the crash leaving several mementos including a teddy bear, balloons, cigarettes and an unopened can of beer.

The investigation into the cause of the crash continued early Monday and throughout the day, but no official cause has been released. The APD has also not released which man was the driver of the car.

Personnel the Atmore Fire Department and Atmore Ambulance assisted at the scene as well as David’s Paint & Body.