A New Brockton man has died following a Sunday night crash on Highway 51 in Coffee County, Alabama. Hozea Head Jr., 59, was identified by Coffee County Coroner Arnold Woodham as the victim of the crash, which occurred shortly before 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 12. According to officials, Head Jr. was walking along Highway 51 while pushing a wheelchair loaded with items when he was struck by a 2017 Kia Forte. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The coroner noted that Head Jr. may have been intoxicated at the time of the crash. His body was transported to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, where an autopsy and toxicology testing will be conducted to help determine the full circumstances surrounding his death. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) responded to and is investigating the crash. As of this report, no additional details regarding the driver of the Kia Forte or potential charges have been released. The investigation remains ongoing, and further information is expected as ALEA completes its review of the incident.

Location and Infrastructure

Highway 51 runs through Coffee County in southeastern Alabama, connecting rural and residential areas near New Brockton. Like many state highways in this part of Alabama, stretches of Highway 51 carry higher-speed traffic while also passing through or near populated areas, which can create risk for pedestrians walking along or near the roadway, particularly after dark. Limited or inconsistent lighting on rural highway segments can reduce visibility for drivers, especially during nighttime hours when this crash occurred. Coffee County and the surrounding New Brockton area are served by county and state road authorities responsible for maintenance and traffic control along this corridor. Pedestrian activity along state highways lacking dedicated sidewalks or shoulders remains an ongoing safety concern in many rural Alabama communities.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Alabama law, pedestrians and drivers share responsibilities for roadway safety, and fault in a pedestrian-involved crash is determined based on the specific facts uncovered during investigation. Alabama is one of the few states that follows a pure contributory negligence standard, meaning that if a pedestrian is found to have contributed in any way to the accident, it may significantly affect the ability to recover compensation. Families pursuing a wrongful death claim in Alabama generally must file suit within two years of the date of death under Alabama's wrongful death statute. Potential damages in such cases may include funeral and burial expenses, and other losses recognized under Alabama's wrongful death framework. Insurance considerations often involve the at-fault driver's liability coverage as well as any applicable uninsured/underinsured motorist provisions. Those affected should consult official investigation findings, including toxicology results, before drawing conclusions about liability.

Related Resources

Local Emergency Services

• Coffee County Sheriff's Office
• New Brockton Police Department
• Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) – Highway Patrol Division
• Coffee County Coroner's Office
• Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences

Traffic Safety Resources

• Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) – https://www.dot.state.al.us
• ALEA Traffic Safety and Crash Data – https://www.alea.gov
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – Pedestrian Safety – https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/pedestrian-safety

Support Services for Accident Victims

• Alabama Crime Victims' Compensation Commission – https://acvcc.alabama.gov
• Grief and bereavement support through local Coffee County community and faith-based organizations

State Traffic Laws and Regulations

• Code of Alabama, Title 32 – Motor Vehicles and Traffic – https://alison.legislature.state.al.us
• Alabama Rules of the Road (Pedestrian Provisions) – https://www.alea.gov