STAPLETON — No one was hurt when a driver struck a Bay Minette Police Department patrol car in a construction area on U.S. 31 near Stapleton Monday.
“She was very fortunate that no one was hurt,” said Bay Minette Police Chief Al Tolbert. “We just want to make drivers aware that they need to pay attention and slow down when they see law enforcement, emergency vehicles and signs directing traffic.”
Sgt. Justin Kelly was directing traffic Monday morning in the northbound lane of U.S. 31 with the Alabama Department of Transportation and Mobile Asphalt Company when a vehicle struck the rear of his vehicle at approximately 9:40 a.m.
“They were in an area where construction had just been completed.” Tolbert said, “and crews were working to install grass on the shoulder of the road. The right lane of traffic was closed and there were arrow signs pointing drivers into the left lane.”
Kelly, ALDOT crews and crews with Mobile Asphalt Company were all in front of the vehicle at the time of the crash, Tolbert said, but there were no injuries.
Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency are investigating the crash and, according to the report, the driver of the vehicle received several citations at the scene, Tolbert said.
According to alea.gov, the Alabama Move Over Act has been in effect since 2010 and requires drivers to change lanes or slow down when a law enforcement, emergency or any type of utility vehicle is present and there are visual signals directing traffic.
For more information visit www.alea.gov/dps/highway-patrol/alabama-move-over-act.
