Davonte Wilson Killed in Leeds Head-On Crash
The 31-year-old died following a head-on collision with another vehicle on Thornton Avenue
Davonte Wilson, 31, of Jemison, was killed in a head-on crash on Thornton Avenue Northeast near Dorrough Street Northeast in Leeds, Alabama, on Thursday, according to the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office.
Wilson was driving a commercial delivery truck that collided with another commercial truck around 1 p.m.
Wilson was pronounced dead at the scene.
Leeds Police Department officers are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
How common are head-on crashes in Alabama?
Traffic collisions represent much of traffic death across the state. When two vehicles collide head-on, the mass and momentum often result in catastrophic outcomes for the drivers involved.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, said, "Head-on crashes are often complex, and many factors can play a role in these types of accidents."
What happens next in the Leeds crash investigation?
Investigators will likely examine physical evidence at the scene to determine why the vehicles collided. In accidents such as this, determining the exact sequence of events is critical for the families left behind.
"Road conditions, visibility, and lighting are all possible contributing factors considered and examined. An accident reconstruction team is sometimes needed to help piece together what happened. All of these resources are necessary for helping clients receive monetary compensation for damages or a loss following a collision," said Stefano Formica, who serves as a national legal analyst for Accident News and is of counsel at Bond Legal.
Families of deceased drivers often face immediate financial and emotional burdens while waiting for official crash reports to be finalized.
Alabama wrongful death statute
Under Ala. Code § 6-5-410, surviving family members of a person killed in a traffic collision may file a wrongful death action in Alabama. The state applies contributory negligence (one of only 4 states) when determining liability. The statute of limitations for wrongful death claims is 2 years from the date of death.
Recoverable damages under Alabama's wrongful death statute may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship and consortium, funeral and burial expenses, and the decedent's pre-death pain and suffering. Alabama law designates specific parties — typically a surviving spouse, children, or parents — as eligible to bring a wrongful death action.