Head-on collision claims Perdido woman

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency officials have released their report on a violent two-vehicle crash that occurred around 1 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5, near Wayside Road’s junction with Alabama 21.

State troopers reported that Victoria L. Lambeth, 36, of Perdido was fatally injured when the 2012 Ford Explorer she was driving collided head-on with a 2025 Freightliner box-truck driven by James M. Bryant, 43, of Blountstown, Fla.

After the collision, both vehicles caught fire. Reports from witnesses say Bryant tried to pull the woman’s body from the Explorer but the flames were too fierce. He suffered severe burns to his arms and was taken to USA Medical Center in Mobile for treatment.

Lambeth was reportedly killed on impact. Her body was taken to the Alabama Department of Forensic Science (ADFS) lab, where her identity was eventually confirmed.

Emergency personnel from McCullough Volunteer Fire Department, Poarch Creek Indians Fire Department and Atmore Fire Department were dispatched to the scene, near the state highway’s 13-mile marker, approximately nine miles north of Atmore.

Reports are rescue personnel had to cut the top and the passenger-side door from the Ford to recover Lambeth’s body. Flames also destroyed the box truck, burning all but its engine, lift gate and a door.

Atmore Fire Chief Ron Peebles said AFD’s tanker was used to shuttle water to the McCullough and Poarch units. City firefighters were not otherwise involved in the fire-suppression effort.

State troopers continued their investigation into the fatal crash this week.

Submitted photos: The Explorer (at left) and the box truck were destroyed by flames.