Authorities in Jefferson County are conducting a detailed investigation into a tragic incident on Interstate 65 that claimed the life of 29-year-old Donnene T. Walker-Vean earlier this week. The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office identified Walker-Vean, a Houston, Texas resident, as the victim after she was fatally injured in a sequence of events that began with a two-vehicle crash near Kimberly on Tuesday afternoon. The news has left her loved ones and community in deep grief as investigators work to understand exactly what happened.
According to officials, the incident began around 12:12 p.m. when Walker-Vean’s vehicle was involved in a collision on I-65 in northern Jefferson County. While the full circumstances of the initial crash remain under investigation, authorities report that her vehicle came to rest on the roadway after the impact. What followed was a devastating series of events that turned an already dangerous situation into a fatal one.
After the initial crash, Walker-Vean exited her vehicle. At some point while she was outside of it, another vehicle traveling along the interstate struck her disabled car. The force of that impact caused her vehicle to move, resulting in additional injuries to Walker-Vean. Emergency responders were dispatched immediately, and first responders worked urgently to assist her on scene before transporting her to UAB Hospital for life-saving treatment.
Despite the rapid response and efforts of medical professionals, Walker-Vean was pronounced dead at 12:36 p.m., just minutes after arriving at the hospital. Authorities have not released information regarding the drivers of the other vehicles involved, and no other injuries have been confirmed publicly. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, including Alabama State Troopers, is now leading the investigation into both the initial collision and the second impact that proved fatal.
As with all serious crash cases, investigators will analyze roadway conditions, traffic flow, visibility, witness statements, and physical evidence from the scene to determine the sequence of events. Multi-stage collisions on interstates can be especially complex, and troopers are urging anyone who witnessed the crash or who may have relevant dash-camera footage to come forward. Every detail, they say, could help clarify what led to the chain reaction that resulted in Walker-Vean’s death.
The sudden loss of Donnene Walker-Vean has brought heartbreak to her family in Texas and to those in Jefferson County who witnessed the tragedy unfold. As her loved ones grieve and await answers, investigators remain focused on completing a thorough review of the incident while honoring the privacy and dignity of the family during this difficult time.
