By By Adam Prestridge
Christmas day celebrations were cut short for the family and friends of Repton resident Cynthia McGill Till, who was killed in a two-vehicle accident on Interstate 65 Christmas day.
Christmas presents were scattered throughout the interior of the severely damaged 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee, evidence that travel can be dangerous during crowded holidays involving increased road travel. The fatal accident was one of eight reported on state roadways during the designated Christmas travel period, which was from 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22 until midnight Christmas day, according to a spokesperson with the Alabama Department of Public Safety (ADPS).
A 1998 Honda Accord driven by Christopher Jason Rossi of Hopkins, Minn. collided with Till’s Jeep at 2:35 p.m. one mile south of Atmore. Till, 60, was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to the Alabama Department of Forensic Science in Mobile. Hopkins was not injured in the accident.
Both vehicles were towed to David’s Paint &Body in Atmore.
The accident is still under investigation, according to Alabama State Troopers.
The holiday weekend proved to be busy for Troopers along I-65 near Atmore. In addition to the fatal accident, Troopers worked four other accidents.
Near the site of the deadly accident, Atmore resident Richard Larry Luker was involved in a two-vehicle Christmas day accident when his 1998 Chevrolet crashed into a 2004 Chevrolet driven by Willie James Williams of Uniontown. The accident occurred at mile marker 53. Both drivers were not injured, according to reports.
The day after Christmas, approximately three miles from the Atmore exit, Elizabeth Wilson of Norcross was involved in a single-vehicle accident when the 2005 Honda she was driving left the roadway at mile marker 60. Wilson was not injured in the accident.
On Christmas Eve, Montgomery resident Kerry Deuschle was involved in a one-vehicle accident at mile marker 65 when her 1999 Toyota left the roadway. No injuries were reported.
All three accidents are under investigation.
According to a spokesperson, the ADPS did not release fatality projections for this holiday season. Below are some tips on staying safe this New Year’s weekend: