Authorities believe that a “medical emergency” was probably the cause of a Monday morning (December 11) crash of an empty log truck and the death of an Atmore man whose body was found inside its cab.
According to reports filed by Alabama State Troopers, “it is believed that” 53-year-old Danny Wayne Boyington “suffered a medical emergency prior to the crash that resulted in his death … not the crash.”
Boyington’s body has reportedly been transported to the state crime lab in Mobile for an autopsy that will provide an official determination of exactly what killed him.
The single-vehicle mishap occurred shortly after 4 a.m., near U.S. 31’s mile-marker 38.5, which is near Byrne Road (also known as Alto Way).
Reports show that the 2007 Freightliner, outfitted for hauling logs but pulling an empty trailer, was apparently southbound on U.S. 31 when it “drifted onto the shoulder and came to rest in or along the wood line.” The rig reportedly bounced across a set of railroad tracks and sheared a utility pole before coming to rest in the lightly wooded area.
The utility pole sustained extensive damage and reportedly left the nearby Alto Products Corp. factory without electricity for several hours. The company notified about 100 employees that they should stay home until Alabama Power personnel restored power to the idle facility.
The investigation into Boyington’s death continued at Tuesday’s press deadline, and no further details were available.