Landon Dunn Killed in Montgomery Car Accident
20-year-old U.S. Marine killed in wrong-way collision on Interstate 85
Landon Dunn, 20, of Greenville, was killed in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 85 in Montgomery, Alabama, on Saturday, according to a preliminary crash report.
A northbound 2013 Kia Sorento traveling in the southbound lanes collided head-on with the victim's 2015 Toyota Tacoma in the center lane shortly after 2 a.m. Dunn, who was serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, was pronounced dead following the collision. The 26-year-old driver of the Kia also died in the crash.
The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences is conducting autopsies and pending toxicology reports for both drivers.
The crash occurred between the Taylor Road and Chantilly Parkway exits.
According to the Alabama Department of Transportation, 975 people died in traffic crashes statewide in 2023.
The sudden loss of a loved one in a wrong-way collision leaves families facing unimaginable grief and complex questions about liability.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Fatal wrong-way crashes frequently occur at high speed on major roadways late at night, leaving almost no time for a driver to react or steer away from disaster."
"Families dealing with sudden grief after a fatal collision often benefit from legal counsel, working to secure video footage, preserve physical evidence and protect the family from added financial strain during recovery," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
Why did the Kia enter the wrong lanes on Interstate 85?
Investigators will review highway surveillance footage, ramp signage, and pending toxicology reports to determine why the driver entered the southbound lanes. Wrong-way crashes frequently involve impairment, confusion, or inadequate interchange lighting.
While criminal charges cannot be filed when an at-fault driver dies, the victim's family retains the right to pursue civil accountability through the at-fault driver's estate.
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.
"Driver impairment represents the leading cause of wrong-way entry onto highway exits and divided thoroughfares. Law enforcement toxicology results and bar receipt documentation reveal source details regarding driver intoxication," said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted, "An attorney aids affected families by tracking liquor liability claims, reviewing police reports, and navigating complex insurance policies."