FEBRUARY 13, 2015
CITRONELLE, ALABAMA
25-year old Marshall James Walton of Mobile died on the job on
Friday, February 13, 2015, after a pickup truck hit the trailer he was working
on. The driver of the vehicle stayed on scene after the accident. Walton was
working for his family's business, John G. Walton Construction Co., Inc.
The fatal one-vehicle accident occurred on Highway 45, in
Citronelle, Alabama.
The truck driver was driving a 2013 Ford F-150 pickup truck.
The fatal accident occurred around 10:15
am Friday morning.
The pickup truck driver remained on scene, per media
reports. No charges have been announced, as Alabama State Troopers continue to
investigate.
Our Forensic Engineering and Accident Recreation Take
As police continue their investigation, we are questioning
what factors, such as speed or distraction, may have contributed to this
tragedy.
This particular area of highway 45 is notorious for the numerous
crashes and injuries and fatalities that have occurred over the years and even
recently.
Mr. Walton was reportedly working on a trailer at the time
of the crash. Did the pickup truck
driver move over or slow down as the site was approached? How fast was the pickup truck traveling at
the time of the accident?
Why did the driver fail to notice Mr. Walton and the trailer
he was working on? Were all appropriate
signs present to signify the presence of Mr. Walton? Do cellphone records or
any traffic surveillance footage indicate whether the driver was
distracted?
Was a blood test performed on the pickup truck driver
immediately following the accident and, if so, do results indicate whether
alcohol, drugs or medications may have been factors in this crash?
As the answers to this investigation continue to
emerge, if the driver of the Ford F-150 is found at-fault in causing the
accident the family of Marshall Walton may elect to pursue a legal
claim against the driver’s insurance carrier.
The Walton family
should retain an experienced investigation firm and a law firm to ensure
that all evidence, such as cellphone records and traffic surveillance footage, are
obtained and preserved and their interests are protected.
We work tirelessly to assist victims and families
devastated by accidents such as this, and we offer our engineering accident reconstruction expertise,
when needed.