Leroy Goodwin Jr. Obituary, Death – A tragic motorcycle accident in Decatur, Alabama, claimed the life of a local man on Saturday night. The Decatur Police Department confirmed that the crash happened on Alabama Highway 67 near the railroad tracks close to Alabama Highway 20. Authorities responded to the fatal incident shortly after 9:10 p.m., with both Decatur Police and Decatur Fire and Rescue arriving on the scene to investigate and provide emergency assistance.
According to initial reports from investigators, traffic on AL-67 had come to a stop due to a train that was approaching the crossing. The crossing arms were down, and the warning lights were operational and functioning correctly, alerting drivers of the oncoming train. Vehicles had halted as expected in response to the safety signals.
As traffic waited for the train to pass, a motorcycle traveling at a high rate of speed approached the line of stopped vehicles. Police believe the motorcycle, rather than slowing down or stopping, failed to brake in time. It struck the rear of an SUV that was waiting in traffic. However, the crash did not end there. After the initial impact, the motorcycle continued forward and collided directly with the train, compounding the severity of the accident.
The motorcyclist, identified as 57-year-old Leroy Goodwin Jr., was pronounced dead at the scene. First responders confirmed that despite rapid emergency efforts, there was nothing they could do to save him. Authorities have not released any information indicating whether the driver of the SUV or anyone else involved suffered injuries. The name of the SUV driver has not been made public at this time.
The Decatur Police Department’s Traffic Unit is actively investigating the crash to determine all contributing factors. While speed is already considered a major component, officials are working to reconstruct the event, confirm witness statements, and review any available surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras. Investigators are also likely to conduct vehicle inspections and possibly toxicology testing to rule out or confirm the involvement of alcohol or drugs, though no such findings have been reported yet.
The area near AL-67 and AL-20 is known for being busy, particularly in the evenings when many residents are commuting or heading out for weekend activities. The presence of a railroad crossing adds an additional element of caution to the intersection, which authorities stress is why speed limits and warning signals are crucial for public safety. Officials confirmed that the train crossing systems were functioning exactly as designed during the time of the crash, which further underscores the role that excessive speed may have played in the tragic event.
In response to the accident, the roadway was temporarily closed to allow investigators to work and to clear the debris from the crash site. The train involved also remained stopped for some time as part of the investigative process, which included interviews with the train operators and examination of the crossing signals and their timing. Local authorities worked to reopen the area once the scene was cleared and deemed safe.
Leroy Goodwin Jr., the man killed in the crash, was a resident of the Decatur area. No other personal details about Goodwin have been released at this time, and it is not yet known if he had any family in the area. News of the accident has saddened the community, and the investigation will likely aim to raise awareness of the dangers of excessive speed, especially in areas with active train crossings.
Motorcycle safety continues to be a concern for law enforcement, particularly when it comes to high-speed travel and traffic awareness. Motorcyclists are more vulnerable than car passengers due to the lack of external protection, making collisions far more likely to result in serious injury or death.
The Decatur Police Department has urged motorists to drive cautiously, obey posted speed limits, and remain alert—especially around railroad crossings, school zones, and intersections with limited visibility. They emphasized that traffic safety is everyone’s responsibility and that incidents like Saturday’s fatal crash serve as tragic reminders of the consequences that can result from just a few seconds of reckless behavior.
As the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash continues, the department is asking for any witnesses to come forward. Individuals who may have been in the area at the time of the crash or who have dashcam footage are encouraged to contact the Decatur Police Department’s Traffic Unit to assist with the ongoing inquiry.
This fatal incident marks another entry in the state’s growing list of motorcycle-related fatalities. Alabama law enforcement agencies continue to focus on improving road safety through public awareness, traffic enforcement, and infrastructure improvements. The hope is that better education, coupled with driver caution, can prevent similar tragedies in the future.