Man dies after car plunges off washed-out road

MADRID, Ala. - A 73-year-old man died Monday afternoon when he drove his car into a washed-out portion of BJ Mixon road, apparently oblivious to signs warning of the road closure ahead and possible barricades in front of the damaged road.

Horace McKinnie, of Slocomb, was pronounced dead around 6:30 p.m., about three hours after authorities were made aware of the accident.

The accident occurred just after 3:30 p.m., about a third of a mile south on BJ Mixon road. Heavy rains almost two weeks ago had washed out a culvert, cutting a swath out of the road about 40 feet wide. The road had been closed ever since. Signs alerting motorists of the road closure are posted at the intersection of Decatur Road and BJ Mixon Road in Madrid. Another warning sign is posted 1,500 feet from the washed-out area.

Based on evidence at the scene of the accident, it appears McKinnie never attempted to slow his Ford Taurus. The car’s tire tracks were fresh through a layer of mud just prior to the washed out portion and there is no indication of skid marks. It struck the embankment on the other side and fell into the swollen creek, drifting downstream about 30 yards before coming to rest. Portions of the car’s wreckage were found on the other side of the road. A dive team from Houston County found a barricade near McKinnie’s car in the creek. It is unknown if McKinnie struck the barricade, or if the barricade was already in the creek. Another barricade was pushed over in front of the washed-out area.

Divers attempted a rescue, but the impact trapped McKinnie inside. Coroner Robert Byrd said a preliminary examination indicates McKinnie likely died on impact with the embankment. He was not wearing a seat belt.

It took almost three hours to remove the car from the creek. Rescue personnel were forced to cut two trees to create a path through a wooded area near the creek. Divers then hooked chains to the car, allowing a tow truck to lift it from the creek and carry it through the path.

The accident remains under investigation.

Fourteen Houston County roads remain closed as a result of the recent rains.