It was just another Saturday evening in Sumter County, Alabama, when tragedy struck along the familiar stretch of Highway 28. Around 5:30 p.m. on November 29, a pickup truck driven by 68-year-old Ellis Bibbs of Livingston collided head-on with an oncoming sport-utility vehicle. The impact was devastating—Bibbs’ truck veered off the road and slammed into a tree just a short distance away. According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, which is leading the probe, Bibbs didn’t make it; he was rushed to a hospital across the state line but was pronounced dead from his severe injuries. The other driver, whose name and condition haven’t been released yet, was also hurt and taken for treatment, but thankfully, they’re alive.
Folks in the area know Highway 28 well—it’s that busy route three miles east of Livingston where locals and commuters zip back and forth every day. The crash happened right in the thick of early evening, as the sun dipped low and shadows started creeping across the road. No word yet from officials on whether the fading light, weather, or something else played a part, but it’s the kind of spot where things can turn in an instant. Emergency crews got there fast after the first calls came in, working through the dusk to help the injured and secure the scene. Traffic backed up for a bit while they cleared the wreckage and towed the vehicles, but the highway’s back open now, flowing as usual.
Ellis Bibbs wasn’t just a name on a report; he was a fixture in Livingston, the sort of guy who’d been around long enough to feel like family to half the town. At 68, he’d likely driven that road a thousand times, heading home or out to see friends. His death has hit the community hard, leaving neighbors shaking their heads and sharing stories about the man they knew. Local leaders have already reached out with condolences to his family, urging everyone to take it slow out there, especially on these major routes where one wrong move can change everything.
The two vehicles were heading in opposite directions when they met, but investigators are still piecing together exactly how it all went down. Was it a swerve, a distraction, or just bad luck? The ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division is on it, combing through the physical evidence like skid marks and dents on the truck and SUV. They’ll check the road conditions too, and if there were any witnesses nearby, expect some interviews to fill in the blanks. Right now, it’s too soon to say if driver error, the environment, or some hidden hazard was to blame—no charges on the table yet, and that’s how it should be until the facts are straight.
Medical teams from the scene didn’t waste a second, assessing both drivers on the spot before loading them into ambulances bound for Baptist Anderson Regional Medical Center in Mississippi. For Bibbs, the injuries were just too much, and the news came later that evening. The SUV driver made it to the hospital too, getting the care they needed, though details on how they’re doing remain under wraps. It’s a small mercy in a tough situation, reminding us how these crashes ripple out, affecting not just the people involved but everyone who hears about it.
As the investigation rolls on, troopers will dig deep into vehicle data and any dashcam footage that might surface. Environmental factors could come into play—maybe the road was slick from earlier rain, or visibility was low with the sun setting. But ALEA is playing it cautious, not jumping to conclusions. They’ve seen too many of these wrecks to rush the call, and that’s why thorough work matters. For now, the focus is on understanding what happened so it doesn’t repeat.
In a place like Livingston, where everyone knows a little about everyone, losing someone like Ellis Bibbs feels personal. The outpouring of support for his family has been immediate, with folks already talking about ways to honor his memory. Authorities are using this as a nudge too, reminding drivers to buckle up, watch the road, and give themselves extra space as days get shorter. More details should come as ALEA wraps up their review, but one thing’s clear: this crash has left a mark, a somber reminder of how fragile the drive home can be.
