Fatal wreck on U.S. 72 2

A Rogersville woman died of blunt-force trauma following a Thursday morning wreck in Athens, Limestone County Coroner Mike West said.

Dawn Whitt Trousdale, 45, died at Huntsville Hospital from injuries suffered in the wreck at the intersection of U.S. 72 and Lucas Ferry Road, officials said.

Witnesses told Athens police officers Trousdale’s Jeep Wrangler and a semitrailer hauling sod were traveling east on 72 when Trousdale stopped for the traffic light and was struck from behind by the semitrailer at around 8:07 a.m., Athens Police Chief Floyd Johnson said.

“When officers arrived, several citizens were attempting to get to the driver and put out a fire in the rear area of the vehicle,” Johnson said. “Athens Fire & Rescue arrived about the same time and was able to put the fire out, enter the vehicle and extricate the driver. Athens-Limestone Ambulance Service treated the driver until Huntsville MedFlight arrived and flew her to Huntsville Hospital.”

Trousdale, who was heading to work in Huntsville at the time, died of her injuries in the Huntsville Hospital emergency room, West said.

Johnson said police had not yet determined whether the victim was wearing a seat belt at the time of the wreck. He said police are still investigating the accident, with assistance from state troopers.

The driver of the semitrailer, Anthony Stewart of Town Creek, was treated at Athens-Limestone Hospital emergency room and later released, Johnson said.

Grand jury

The chief said he expects the case to be sent to the Limestone County District Attorney’s Office with a recommendation it be presented to a grand jury. District Attorney Brian Jones presents every traffic fatality that occurs in the county to a grand jury to let jurors decide whether criminal charges are merited.

Eastbound traffic on 72 was blocked for more than three hours following Thursday’s wreck.