UPDATED 5:30 p.m. ALEA investigators have identified the third person in today's head-on collision as Kimberly Mason, 40, of Holly Pond. Mason is listed in critical condition at Huntsville Hospital. She was in the Kia SUV with victim Michael Thomas. ALEA is still investigating the incident and would only say that "one of the vehicles was on the wrong side of the road."
UPDATED 4:15 p.m. Cullman County Coroner Jeremy L. Kilpatrick has confirmed that Michael Thomas, 38, of Cullman, and Jackie Dukes, 81, of Cullman, were both killed as a result of a head-on collision on U.S. Hwy 278 E earlier Sunday. Kilpatrick stated that Thomas was pronounced deceased on scene while Dukes was pronounced dead at UAB. A third person is currently being treated at Huntsville Hospital, and the extent of the injuries has yet to be released, along with the individual’s name.
Kilpatrick stated that Thomas was in a Kia SUV and Dukes was in a Ford F-150 truck.
UPDATED 3:15 p.m. Cullman County Coroner Jeremy L. Kilpatrick has just confirmed that a second person involved in the collision has died. A third person is still being treated at an area hospital. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) says that Highway 278 has now been re-opened to traffic. Families are still being notified; no identities will be released until it is confirmed that all families have been notified.
UPDATED 1:14 p.m. According to rescue personnel at the scene, there was a head-on collision with one fatality. Two people have been flown to area hospitals, one to Huntsville, the other to Birmingham. The identities of the victims will not be released until families are notified.
BERLIN – Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry stated a wreck has occurred between the Berlin community and Holly Pond, causing a slowing of traffic.
"It appears traffic will be delayed for an extended period of time and citizens may look for an alternate route," Gentry said.
As far as injuries, Gentry started that the "ALEA will work the wreck. They may have further details to any injuries or anything to that nature."
Publisher Note: The Cullman Tribune / CullmanSense will not publish the names of those involved, nor any photos of the collision until family members of those involved are formally contacted.
