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By Fred Guarino

The Lowndes Signal

A Lowndes County Deputy died following a one-vehicle accident Monday, April 10 on Alabama Highway 21 near Hayneville.

Jesse Thornton of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) said a single-vehicle crash at 11:53 a.m. Monday, April 10, claimed the life of a Lowndesboro (Burkville) man.

Levy Pettway, age 61, died after the 2001 Ford Crown Victoria he was driving “left the roadway and struck several trees,” according to Thornton.

“Pettway, who was not using a seatbelt, was pronounced dead a short time later,” Thornton said.

Pettway was a deputy for the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office and the school resource officer at Calhoun School in Lowndes County. Thornton added that the crash occurred on Alabama 21 just outside the Hayneville city limits.

“Deputy Pettway was an outstanding contributor to the Lowndes County Public School System. He was a valuable team player. He was loved by our students, our teachers and our parents. He will truly be missed,” Lowndes County School Superintendent Dr. Daniel Boyd said. “Our thoughts and prayers go to the Pettway family.

In 2016, the Signal featured Pettway, who had drawn praise from Hayneville Post Office for his assistance to a postal employee following an accident.

Theresa Myracle, postmaster at the Hayneville Post Office, said of Pettway at the time, “He was the first on the scene. He comforted her (the postal employee) called her emergency contact and secured the scene until the State Trooper and U.S. Postal Service investigator arrived.”

She said, “He understood the importance of securing that vehicle, which contained undelivered U.S. Mail, and showed a great deal of compassion to our carrier.”

Pettway, who made his home in Burkville, was employed for about 13 years with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office.

“I was just doing what I always know to do… what is right,” Pettway said.

Nothing further is available as Alabama State Troopers continue to investigate.