Congressional candidate reported for good deed

Published 9:05 am Wednesday, January 17, 2024

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Lowndesboro resident and 2nd Congressional District candidate Hampton Harris was reported for being a “good Samaritan” Sunday after stopping to help the victim of a single-vehicle crash late Saturday.

An unidentified motorist stopped at the crash scene near the 111-mile marker of U.S. Highway 80 in Lowndes County and captured Harris in the act of aiding a commercial vehicle driver whose tractor trailer had overturned. Pictures the motorist submitted show Harris climbing the underside of the overturned transfer truck, then working atop the truck’s cab to free the driver.

The motorist who captured the rescue did not respond immediately to requests for their name. Identified through email as “Sweet Pea,” the anonymous witness expressed their desire to commend Harris for his efforts.

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“I wanted to report an accident I witnessed yesterday evening,” the motorist wrote in an email to The Lowndes Signal. “It was a major single car accident involving a tractor trailer flipped on its side in the ditch on Highway 80 near Lowndesboro. The man pictured is Hampton Harris, who pulled over at the scene of the accident to climb into the truck’s cabin and rescue the driver inside. After this occurred, I recognized this individual as Mr. Harris, one of the current Congressional candidates for Alabama’s district two race. I wanted to recognize the heroic and humble acts of such a generous young man and public servant. [He is] someone I would love to see represent our state.”

Harris, who lives near the crash site, said he was returning home from his grandfather’s house when he observed the overturned truck and stopped to help.

“My wife and I were driving back from my grandfather’s house and saw the truck in the ditch,” Harris said. “A lot of others pulled over and gave me a hand, which I was very happy about because that [driver’s] door was wedging tight.”

According to Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Senior Trooper Kendra McKinney, the crash occurred around 4:55 p.m., blocking both eastbound lanes of the highway between Lowndesboro and White Hall. The road remained closed until approximately 10 p.m. while crews worked to clear the scene.

Harris, who was unaware that anyone was filming his efforts, said he and one other motorist were the first on the scene.

“I don’t know who was taking photos out there,” Harris said. “It was only me and one other car when I first got there. A good many people stopped, probably eight or 10 cars pulled over after that. Some guys came up, jumped up [on the cab] and helped open the door and pull the driver out.”

No injuries were reported and according to Harris, the truck’s driver said he was unharmed by the crash. After learning the driver was not injured, Harris said he then made his way home.

“After I helped him out, he said he was fine,” Harris said. “He said he wasn’t hurt anywhere. I went ahead and left and that was before any authorities arrived.”

Troopers with ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash.