Authorities in Jefferson County, Alabama, are investigating a tragic multi-vehicle crash that claimed the life of 29-year-old Donnene Walker late Tuesday night, November 25. Walker, a resident of Houston, Texas, was struck and critically injured during a chain of collisions along Interstate 65 near the 278-mile marker. Despite the efforts of first responders and medical staff, she later died at UAB Hospital, leaving her family and loved ones devastated by the sudden loss.
According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), the incident began when Walker’s Ford Edge became disabled in the roadway following an earlier collision. Walker had exited her vehicle and was standing near it, likely trying to assess the situation or move to a safer location. In those moments, a Nissan Rogue traveling on the interstate collided with the stationary Ford Edge. The force of the impact pushed the Ford Edge into Walker, causing severe injuries that ultimately proved fatal.
Before striking Walker’s vehicle, investigators say the Nissan Rogue had also crashed into a Chevrolet Silverado, adding another layer to the already dangerous situation. Both the Rogue’s driver and the Silverado’s driver sustained injuries and were transported to UAB Hospital for medical care. Their conditions have not yet been publicly released, but officials confirmed that no further loss of life occurred among the other motorists involved in the crash.
The chain reaction continued when debris scattered across the interstate was struck by a fourth vehicle, driven by an 18-year-old. Fortunately, that driver escaped without injury, though the situation underscores how quickly collisions can escalate when roadways become littered with debris. Troopers temporarily restricted portions of the highway as they worked to assist the injured, clear the wreckage, and gather crucial evidence from the scene.
ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division is now actively reconstructing the events that led to the deadly crash. Investigators are reviewing every detail, from vehicle positions to roadway conditions, in hopes of determining whether factors such as speed, visibility, or impairment played a role. So far, officials have not released additional details about what may have contributed to the initial collision or the rapid series of impacts that followed.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone who may have witnessed the crash or noticed anything unusual along I-65 that night to come forward. Even minor observations could help provide valuable insight. For now, the community is mourning the tragic loss of Donnene Walker, a young woman whose life ended far too soon in a devastating chain-reaction crash on one of Alabama’s busiest highways.
