Car accident in the Valley claims lives

Valley police said officers were called to the scene of the crash around 6:19 p.m. Monday, between the 74-mile marker and the 75-mile marker on the northbound side of the interstate.

When officers arrived, they found that a northbound vehicle had left the road and struck several workers from a lawn mowing crew on the median, a press release said.

Rumaldo Lopez Perez was flown by rescue helicopter from the scene of the accident to Columbus.

Pablo Gutierrez Cruz, 44, and Reuben Lopez Perez were pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the vehicle, Randall Shane Lankford, 44, of Valley, told officers he was traveling north in the left lane when a semi-truck to his right attempted to merge into his lane. He left the roadway and lost control of his vehicle, striking the workers.

The ALEA State Troopers and the Lee County Coroner’s Office are assisting in this investigation.

If anyone witnessed this accident, please contact the Valley Police Department at 334-756-5200 or the Valley Area Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP, 1-833-AL1-STOP or email www.215stop.com.