Alabama elementary school principal charged with fleeing scene of head-on crash

quote:

---

A south Alabama elementary school principal is behind bars, charged in a weekend head-on crash that injured several people.

Debra Johnson Strickland, 38, is charged with leaving the scene of an accident. The principal at Elba Elementary School is being held without bond at the Geneva County Jail.

The crash happened at 4:35 p.m. Saturday on Alabama 87 about 12 miles east of Enterprise, accord to state troopers. Authorities said Strickland was driving a Nissan Maxima northbound when she crossed the center line into southbound traffic and a Subaru Outback.

The Subaru, driven by a 43-year-old Kentucky woman, swerved to avoid colliding with the Maxima. Strickland, troopers said, then swerved back into the northbound lane and struck the Subara.

Troopers said Strickland fled the scene on foot and was later taken into custody about one mile from the crash site.

All three people in the Subaru were transported to the hospital.

According to the school’s website, Strickland has been with Elba City Schools since 2007. Prior to becoming the principal, she taught kindergarten, fourth through sixth grades and served as the instructional coach for Elba City Schools.

---