Kenneth B. Watts Obituary, Death – A profoundly unfortunate roadside event occurred recently in the early hours of Tuesday morning, involving a Selma resident who lost his life following a severe multi-vehicle collision. The incident, which unfolded on a major U.S. roadway, is currently under detailed investigation by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) State Troopers.
The individual who did not survive the circumstances was identified by the Alabama State Troopers as Kenneth B. Watts, a 41-year-old man from Selma. The tragic event took place at approximately 3:37 a.m. along U.S. 80 within the Lowndes County jurisdiction, specifically in the city of White Hall. The timing, well before dawn, suggests that visibility may have been a contributing factor to the hazardous situation.
ALEA Captain Jeremy Burkett provided a detailed account of the sequence of events that led to this sorrowful outcome. Mr. Watts was operating a Buick LaCrosse. Crucially, his vehicle was stationary in the roadway at the time of the incident. This halt was not voluntary; rather, his vehicle was stopped as a consequence of a previous and separate roadway stoppage that had occurred ahead of him. This detail highlights a severe risk factor: vehicles stopped unexpectedly in active traffic lanes, especially on high-speed routes during hours of limited light.
The subsequent and defining stage of the incident involved a large commercial tractor-trailer, specifically a Volvo model, driven by 24-year-old Timothy A. Burgett of Hope Hull. This heavy goods vehicle made contact with the rear of Mr. Watts’ stationary Buick. The impact initiated a severe chain reaction.
Following the contact with the Volvo truck, the force transmitted through the Buick caused it to contact an unoccupied 2013 Ford Fiesta. This third vehicle was also stationary in the immediate vicinity, having been brought to a stop by the same initial roadway event that had halted Mr. Watts. The sequence of impacts underscores the dangerous dynamic of secondary collisions in an environment where traffic flow is unexpectedly disrupted.
Emergency services and law enforcement personnel arrived promptly at the site to manage the situation and attend to the individuals involved. However, due to the critical nature of the impact he sustained, Mr. Watts was pronounced deceased at the location. This conclusion marked a profound loss for the community and his family.
The driver of the commercial truck, Mr. Burgett, was also injured during the incident. He was subsequently transported to Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery to receive the necessary medical care and attention for his condition.
The Alabama State Troopers are continuing their thorough investigation to fully understand the factors that led to the severe collision. Their work will focus on gathering evidence, analyzing speeds, scrutinizing visibility conditions, and determining if all traffic laws were being observed. This type of detailed forensic work is essential to providing a clear picture of the event.
This event serves as a critical road safety alert for all motorists, particularly those operating large commercial vehicles. It emphasizes the need for absolute vigilance and maintaining adequate following distances, especially when approaching areas where visibility is low or where traffic may be unexpectedly stopped due to prior events. The Lowndes County community extends its deepest sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Watts during this challenging period.
