Mable Shepard, 74, killed in single-vehicle crash on Perry County Road 23 near Uniontown, Alabama

A tragic single-vehicle accident on Saturday morning claimed the life of 74-year-old Mable Shepard from Cleveland, Ohio, approximately 12 miles north of Uniontown, Alabama. According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), the crash occurred around 10:40 a.m. when the vehicle left Perry County Road 23 and overturned. Shepard, who was not wearing a seatbelt at the time, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. The 77-year-old male driver, also from Cleveland, sustained injuries and was transported to Whitfield Regional Hospital in Demopolis for treatment. ALEA's Highway Patrol Division is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Location and Infrastructure - Perry County Road 23 is a rural thoroughfare serving the western Alabama region between Uniontown and Marion. This stretch of road traverses predominantly agricultural areas and connects several small communities. The section where the accident occurred is characterized by gentle curves and moderate elevation changes typical of the Black Belt region. Traffic volume is generally light to moderate, with local residents and agricultural vehicles comprising the majority of daily traffic. The road is maintained by Perry County authorities and features standard regulatory signage for rural routes.

Legal Rights and Considerations - Under Alabama Code § 32-5-222, all vehicle occupants must wear seat belts, with violations potentially affecting injury compensation claims. Alabama follows a contributory negligence system, which can significantly impact recovery in personal injury cases. Accident victims or their families typically have two years from the date of the incident to file personal injury or wrongful death claims under Alabama's statute of limitations. Compensation may cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and funeral expenses in fatal cases. Insurance claims should be initiated promptly, as Alabama requires minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury.

Related Resources:

• Perry County Sheriff's Office: Emergency Response
• Alabama Department of Public Safety: Traffic Safety Division
• Whitfield Regional Hospital Trauma Services
• Alabama Department of Transportation: Rural Road Safety Program
• ALEA Crash Report Request Portal
• Alabama Victim Compensation Commission