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By Fred Guarino

The Lowndes Signal

A three-vehicle crash on Interstate 65 in Lowndes County, seven miles north of Fort Deposit claimed four lives Tuesday, Aug. 29, at 4:25 p.m.

According to Corporal Jesse Thornton of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), “Demilo Graves, 26, of Slidell, La., was killed when the 1997 Ford Explorer he was driving struck a bridge rail before striking a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe in the northbound lanes of Interstate 65.“

He said, “The Ford then crossed the median and collided with a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu at the 148.1 mile marker southbound, approximately seven miles north of Fort Deposit.”

Thornton said three passengers in the Ford were killed including Amber Horner, 28, a 3-year-old and a 4-year-old, all of Esther, Fla.

Thornton said, “A toddler, younger than 2, was the only survivor in the Ford and was transported to Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham.”

He said, “All of those killed were pronounced dead at the scene. The adult occupants were not using seat belts and were ejected. The driver of the Chevrolet was transported to Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery for treatment of injuries.”

Thornton said, “Although the circumstances surrounding the crash are still under investigation, preliminary investigation indicates alcohol may have been a factor.”

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