A 12-year-old driver, their 72-year-old legal guardian, and a 20-year-old woman are facing criminal charges following a serious crash in Dothan, Alabama, that left a 14-year-old passenger critically injured. According to the Dothan Police Department, officers responded to the intersection of South Lena Street and West Lafayette Street just before 2 p.m. on June 28, 2026, after receiving reports of a crash with serious injuries. Investigators say a 2016 Toyota Camry, driven by the 12-year-old, ran a stop sign at the intersection and collided with another vehicle that had the right of way. During the crash, a 14-year-old passenger riding on the Camry's rear door windowsill was ejected from the vehicle. Surveillance footage reportedly showed the Camry racing a 2014 Hyundai Elantra, driven by 20-year-old Jadyn Ruth Smith of Daleville, through residential streets prior to the collision. The injured teen was taken to a local hospital before being transferred to a facility in north Alabama, where they remain in critical condition. The conditions of the occupants in the second vehicle have not been released.

Location and Infrastructure

The crash occurred at the intersection of South Lena Street and West Lafayette Street, a residential crossing in Dothan, a city in Houston County in southeastern Alabama. According to police, the Camry failed to stop at a posted stop sign before entering the intersection and striking a vehicle traveling on West Lafayette Street, which did not have a stop-controlled approach. This configuration suggests the intersection operates under two-way stop control, a common but hazard-prone setup in residential neighborhoods where cross-traffic on the uncontrolled roadway may have limited warning of vehicles failing to yield. Residential streets like those surrounding this intersection are typically designed for lower-speed local traffic, making them particularly dangerous when used for high-speed driving or racing, as alleged in this case. The area's mix of homes, driveways, and cross streets increases risk when traffic control devices are disregarded.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Alabama law, individuals injured in motor vehicle collisions may pursue civil claims separate from any criminal proceedings brought against the at-fault parties. Alabama follows a contributory negligence standard, one of the strictest in the nation, meaning an injured party found even minimally at fault may be barred from recovery — underscoring the importance of a thorough factual investigation. Alabama's statute of limitations generally allows two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (Ala. Code § 6-2-38). Because a minor was operating one vehicle, questions of parental or guardian liability, permissive use of the vehicle, and negligent entrustment may also be relevant. Insurance considerations may involve the vehicle owner's policy, the guardian's coverage, and potential uninsured/underinsured motorist claims. Compensation in such cases may include medical expenses, future care costs, lost income, and pain and suffering. Affected individuals should consult a qualified professional to understand their specific rights.

Related Resources

Local Emergency Services

• Dothan Police Department: (334) 615-3900
• Houston County 911 / Emergency Dispatch
• Southeast Health Medical Center, Dothan

Local Traffic Safety Resources

• Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) – Southeast Region
• City of Dothan Traffic Engineering Division
• Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) – Crash Data and Statistics

Support Services for Accident Victims

• Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission
• Southeast Alabama Diversion Center (juvenile services)
• National Alliance for Grieving Children/Family Support Resources (for families of critically injured minors)

State Traffic Laws and Regulations

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

This article is based on reporting from WDHN and information released by the Dothan Police Department. Details may be updated as the investigation continues.