Girl I know & 4 members of her family killed in Alabama wreck yesterday morning

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The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency confirmed that they are currently investigating a fatal 2-vehicle accident on U.S. 80 in Russell County, where five people have died.

Officials have identified the victims as Carrie Jones, 32, of Albany, LA; Judy Madere, 58; Trudy Hebert, 58; and two children ages 4 and 7 of Albany, LA.

The accident occurred near the East Alabama Motor Speedway near Crawford around 8:30 a.m. ET on Monday, approximately 10 miles west of Phenix City.

The 2014 Nissan Rogue, driven by Jones, collided with a 2006 Mack tractor trailer. The driver of the Mack was injured and transported to a local hospital.

Investigators confirmed that five people, including two children, were killed in the accident. The driver of the tractor trailer was transported to the hospital and is expected to be OK.

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On that stretch of U.S. 80 between Ladonia and Crawford, the speed limit on the two-lane road is 55 miles per hour.

Matthew Popiel, who resides on U.S. 80, said he was sitting on his porch talking on the phone when he witnessed a collision like no other he’s seen before. He said he instantly dropped his phone and rushed to the area to help.

“I tried my best to help get the kids out,” said Popiel, who described the incident as an unforgettable wreck that no one should ever have to witness. “I tried my best but wasn’t able to. It’s impossible to try to get people out of a damaged car like that without having the proper tools.”

Popiel’s mother Carrie Patrick, who also lives on U.S. 80, said she heard what sounded like an explosion and rushed outside where she saw the aftermath of the crash. She said there were people running, stopping on the side of the road and climbing on top of the car trying to get to the victims.

“It was horrifying,” she said. “There was smoke going up. You just didn’t know what was going on.”

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