A senior member of our community, 44-year-old Jeremy C. Rogers of Haleyville, Alabama, tragically lost his life in a pre-dawn accident on Saturday, October 18. Local officials with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) say Rogers was driving a 2016 Nissan Altima at roughly 3:35 a.m. when the vehicle left the roadway along U.S. Highway 278 about three miles east of Double Springs.
Investigation details indicate that the car veered off U.S. 278 near the intersection with Winston County Road 89, in a heavily wooded, rural area of Winston County. The vehicle collided with a tree after leaving the road; no other vehicles or persons were involved in the crash. Rogers was not wearing a seat belt at the time, and ALEA troopers pronounced him dead at the scene.
At this stage, authorities have not confirmed the exact cause of the crash. Preliminary thoughts include possible driver fatigue, excessive speed, or challenging road conditions during the early morning darkness. Investigators with the ALEA Highway Patrol Division are working to reconstruct the scene, collect vehicle data, and determine what triggered the Nissan Altima to leave the roadway.
The accident serves as a sober reminder of how quickly a routine drive can turn tragic. In their statement, ALEA officials emphasized the crucial role of wearing seat belts — even for short hops or when traffic is minimal — especially in rural stretches where lighting and visibility are limited. They also urged drivers to stay alert, avoid distractions, and respect speed limits at night or in the early morning hours.
Friends and neighbours describe Rogers as a familiar figure around Haleyville — someone who often drove early for work or errands. The sense of loss is immediate in such a close-knit community. The agency conveyed its heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Haleyville, urging drivers to reflect on how rapidly circumstances can change.
While the technical investigation continues, highway patrol officers remind everyone that rural highways like U.S. 278 demand a heightened level of caution: early morning hours reduce visibility, shoulders may be narrow, and trees line the road not far from the pavement. A momentary lapse — whether it’s speed, fatigue, or simply not buckling up — may be all it takes for disaster.
In memory of Jeremy C. Rogers, families in Haleyville and surrounding Winston County areas are gathering quietly to honour his life. As investigations wrap, what remains clear is this: take every drive seriously, wear that seat belt, and drive alert — you never know when a routine trip becomes a matter of life and death.
