WALKER COUNTY, Ala. — A devastating head-on collision in Walker County on Thursday evening claimed the lives of two people and left another seriously injured, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. The crash occurred at approximately 6:29 p.m. on New Oakman Highway near Gray Farm Road, just west of Parrish, sending shockwaves through the small community.
State troopers identified the victims as 38-year-old Whittney M. Barrentine and 77-year-old Chester G. Brown. Both individuals were pronounced dead at the scene due to injuries sustained in the violent impact. Authorities have not yet disclosed additional details about the vehicles involved or which direction each driver was traveling at the time of the collision.
Officials said the crash involved two vehicles that collided head-on along the rural stretch of New Oakman Highway. The force of the crash caused extensive damage to both vehicles, leaving debris scattered across the roadway. First responders, including local fire departments and emergency medical personnel, arrived quickly to render aid and secure the area.
The driver of the second vehicle, identified as 50-year-old Christopher A. Brown, sustained serious injuries in the crash. Due to the severity of his condition, he was airlifted from the scene to UAB Hospital in Birmingham for emergency treatment. His current medical status has not been publicly released.
Traffic along New Oakman Highway was temporarily disrupted as troopers conducted their on-scene investigation. Authorities worked for several hours documenting evidence, reconstructing the collision and clearing the wreckage to reopen the roadway safely. Residents in the area reported seeing multiple emergency vehicles and a medical helicopter responding to the scene.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Highway Patrol Division continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash. Troopers have not yet indicated whether speed, impairment, weather conditions or other contributing factors may have played a role. As the investigation moves forward, families of the victims are left mourning an unexpected and tragic loss, while the Walker County community grapples with yet another reminder of how quickly lives can change on the road.
