Fatal Single-Vehicle Crash Claims Life of Maria Alonzo-Perez, 24, and Child on Highway 72 in Athens, Alabama

In a tragic incident on Tuesday afternoon, 24-year-old Maria Alonzo-Perez and a 5-year-old passenger lost their lives in a devastating single-vehicle accident near Athens, Alabama. According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Alonzo-Perez was driving a 2003 Ford Expedition when the vehicle veered off Highway 72 near its intersection with Lakeview Street. The SUV struck a culvert before overturning and subsequently colliding with a sign and multiple trees. Emergency responders arrived at the scene, but unfortunately, both Alonzo-Perez and the young child were pronounced dead at the location. A 6-year-old passenger also traveling in the vehicle sustained injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The current condition of the surviving child has not been disclosed. State troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking accident.

Location and Infrastructure

The accident occurred at the intersection of Highway 72 and Lakeview Street in Athens, Alabama, a significant east-west corridor that runs through Limestone County. This section of Highway 72 is a busy thoroughfare that connects Athens to Huntsville to the east and Florence to the west, carrying substantial local and through traffic daily. The intersection with Lakeview Street is located in a transitional area where highway speeds meet more residential traffic patterns. This stretch of highway features multiple business entrances and cross streets, creating potential conflict points for vehicles entering and exiting the main roadway. The area is known for moderate to heavy traffic, particularly during peak hours, as it serves as a primary route for commuters and commercial vehicles traveling between Athens and surrounding communities.

Legal Rights and Considerations

In Alabama, victims of motor vehicle accidents and their families have specific legal rights under state law. Alabama operates under a "contributory negligence" system, which means that compensation may be affected if a party is found to have contributed to the accident. For family members of deceased victims, wrongful death claims in Alabama are governed by distinctive statutes that allow only punitive damages rather than compensatory damages. There is a strict two-year statute of limitations for filing most accident-related claims in Alabama. Insurance considerations typically involve potential claims against the driver's policy for medical expenses, property damage, and potentially underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage if applicable. Survivors of accidents may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and disability, while families of deceased victims may pursue claims for funeral expenses and loss of financial support.

Related Resources

• Athens-Limestone County Emergency Services: (256) 233-8710
• Alabama Department of Public Safety: (334) 242-4400
• Alabama Law Enforcement Agency: (334) 517-2800
• Limestone County Victim Services: (256) 233-6400
• Alabama Department of Transportation Safety Resources: https://www.dot.state.al.us/programs/Traffic-Safety.html
• Alabama Trauma System: (334) 206-5383
• Alabama Code Title 32 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic): https://www.alabamainteractive.org/sos/legislativeacts/
• Alabama Department of Insurance Consumer Services: (334) 269-3550