By JOSH FRYE
News Staff Writer
A violent, mid-morning crash claimed the life of an Atmore man Monday, October 25.
According to Senior Alabama State Trooper Anna Peoples, Robert Marion Hadley, 62, was traveling northbound within the southbound lane of Alabama Highway 21 in a white 2010 Ford F-150 at mile marker three, directly in front of Oak Hill Cemetery’s main entrance, at approximately 10:03 a.m.
He collided head-on with a 2020 Freightliner Cascadia driven by Slay Transportation driver Wendel L. Nelson, 55, of Atmore.
Hadley was pronounced deceased at the scene. Nelson was not injured.
According to a witness who was almost involved in the crash, Hadley’s pickup swerved into the oncoming lane at a high rate of speed, forcing the driver to direct his van onto the shoulder. The witness stated that when looked into his rearview mirror, he witnessed Hadley’s truck strike the 18-wheeler head-on.
According to sources, the semi was equipped with an on-board video camera that confirms the report.
The accident shut down both north- and southbound lanes of Highway 21, from Sunset Drive, near Escambia County Middle School, to Howard Street, near Dean’s Grill, for more than three hours while Atmore police, Atmore fire rescue, Alabama State Troopers and Med-Star emergency medical services worked the scene of the crash.
According to Peoples, troopers with Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)
Highway Patrol Division is currently continuing the investigation.