Head-On Crash Kills Sisters In Separate Cars (Women Were On Way To See Each Other)

Channel 5 online ^ | 11.19.02 | AP

[RedBloodedAmerican]

SIX MILE, Ala. -- Two sisters driving separate vehicles on a rural highway collided head-on, killing both women as they went to see each other.

State troopers identified the victims as Sheila Wentworth, 45, and her older sister, Doris Jean Hall, 51. Hall's husband, Billy Joe Hall Jr., 45, also was killed.

A child riding in each vehicle was injured.

Authorities said the women were driving Jeeps in opposite directions on Alabama 25 about 4 p.m. Sunday when one of the vehicles crossed the center line, colliding with the other vehicle.

Trooper Cpl. Stan Lemon said Monday investigators were trying to determine which car was on the wrong side of the road and why.

The wreck injured 8-year-old Amber Jackson, who was riding with the Halls, her maternal grandparents. Also hurt was Frankie Whaley, 12, a nephew of Wentworth, who was in her Jeep.

Amber was released from a hospital on Monday, but Frankie remained in special care at Children's Hospital, said trooper Sgt. Will Rogers.

Billie Walker, an elder sister of the women, said they grew up in Bibb County, where the accident occurred. "It was a great big poor family, but we had good memories," she said.

The double tragedy was not the first heartbreak for the families: The Halls lost their only daughter to cancer 15 months ago, and their trailer home burned about six months ago.

"They had been to visit their daughter's grave, and when they got near home, Doris smelled smoke, and their home was burned up," said Walker, of Montevallo. "And Billy Joe, he wasn't just a brother-in-law. I loved him like a brother."

[RedBloodedAmerican]

What are the odds?

[Tall_Texan]

There's about seven jokes I can come up with for this but I won't. Let's leave this thread to the "pray for their loved ones" set.

[Not Insane]

>>A child riding in each vehicle was injured. <<

Is this one of those "how can you be in two places at once when you're not anywhere at all" sort of things.

Or was the kid thrown from one car to the other, riding in both vehicles, one for a very short time?

[dead]

My brother-in-law's brother had a very similar thing happen to him, with a much funnier and less tragic ending.

He lives in Ireland, down a rural road. He was driving home down the road, while his wife was heading out, and the collided head on. Neither were injured, but he jumped out of the car and started yelling at her. She started yelling back and they were having a big argument. There was a group of guys doing construction nearby, and they had seen the accident and the ensuing argument and ran over to rough him up for being a jerk. When they found out they were married, they just laughed at him.

[giotto]

It may not be such a coincidence. The article says they were going to see each other. That could mean that neither sister knew the other sister was on her way over to visit. Driving down the road, they might have spotted the others' cars and the surprise could have caused one of them to jerk the wheel. Given that it takes very little to lose control of a Jeep, this in itself could have caused the accident.

[Jonathon Spectre]

Two sisters driving separate vehicles on a rural highway collided head-on, killing both women as they went to see each other.

Your pick:

Bad luck to the umpteenth ping;
or
Both your presences are required before the Almighty IMMEDIATELY ping.

[Cvengr]

Fathers, don't let your girls grow up to drive Jeeps!

[Cicero]

"They had been to visit their daughter's grave, and when they got near home, Doris smelled smoke, and their home was burned up."

It sounds like the Book of Job.

15 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,
21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

[Eaker]

Given that it takes very little to lose control of a Jeep,

I drive a Jeep and you must be kidding. I drive every day and my Jeep obeys my commands.

PS: So does my Maxima and my GMC truck.......go figure.....???

Eker

[TopQuark]

A child riding in each vehicle was injured.

Who's hired this "writer?"

Most journalists cannot do anything but speak and write. Look at this atrocity, which is worthy of ridicule in a high school class. Is it too much to expect them to do at least what they are hired to do?

[Indrid Cold]

"The double tragedy was not the first heartbreak for the families: The Halls lost their only daughter to cancer 15 months ago, and their trailer home burned about six months ago."

What more evidence does anyone need that God hates their family?

[Ciexyz]

A child riding in each vehicle was injured.

Uh, you say there's something wrong with that sentence? That's the way I talk.

[What Is Ain't]

Forgive me. Did the same person teach each of them to drive?

[Hawkeye's Girl]

I agree with Ciscero here: it sounds like the Book of Job.

[giotto]

You're undoubtedly a good driver. But Jeeps have been involved in a lot of fatal accidents, mostly when driven by inexperienced or DUI drivers. Even an experienced driver could have trouble if his SUV blew a tire or he had to swerve to avoid something.

[solzhenitsyn]

What a sad story!

[Calvin Locke]

...they might have spotted the others' cars a...

Note to self: Do NOT act on any sudden urges to hug people in a recognized, moving vehicle...

[Thinkin' Gal]

A child riding in each vehicle was injured.

No wonder they collided.

This is a terrible story, but it's really hard not to visualize Cousin Eddie and family.