Decatur man killed in three-vehicle Limestone wreck

A Decatur man — 21-year-old Stephen Lee Shankle — died Sunday afternoon following a three-vehicle accident four miles west of Madison on U.S. 72 in Limestone County.

State troopers continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, Trooper Curtis Summerville said Monday afternoon.

Troopers believe David Kohlhoff III, 27, of Madison was driving east in a 2005 Chrysler when he struck from behind an eastbound 2002 Chevrolet that had stopped in traffic, Summerville said. The Chevrolet, driven by Emily G. Barnes, 20, of Athens, was forced into the rear of a 2003 Mercury driven by Ira C. Oden Jr., 66, of Athens, which had also stopped in traffic, the trooper said.

A passenger in Barnes’ vehicle, Stephen Lee Shankle, 21, was taken to Huntsville Hospital, where he later died of his injuries.

Kohlhoff and his passenger, 28-year-old Sarah Kohlhoff of Madison, along with Barnes and another passenger in her vehicle, 21-year-old Sarah Maddox of Capshaw, were treated at Huntsville Hospital, the trooper said.

None of the four were listed as patients Monday, a hospital spokeswoman said.

All of the car occupants were wearing seatbelts when the wreck occurred.