Troy Man Dies After Multi-Vehicle Crash Involving Bus on U.S. 231 in Pike County, Alabama

A Troy man has died from injuries he sustained in a multi-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 231 in Pike County, Alabama, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). The collision occurred around 3:40 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, near the 174 mile marker, about one mile southeast of Troy. State troopers reported that Ronald E. Bradley, 57, was a passenger in a 2026 Nissan Kicks when it was struck by a 2016 Chrysler 200 driven by a 19-year-old Louisville man. After the initial impact, the Chrysler collided with a 2025 Freightliner Thomas C2 bus driven by a 72-year-old Troy man. Emergency crews took Bradley to a Montgomery hospital in critical condition. He received treatment for just over a week and died on the evening of Wednesday, Sept. 23. The driver of the Chrysler was also injured and taken to a hospital in Troy. ALEA said he was not wearing a seat belt. Officials have not released information on the condition of the bus driver. ALEA's Highway Patrol Division is still investigating the cause of the crash. 

Location and Infrastructure

U.S. Highway 231 is one of the main north-south routes in southeast Alabama. It connects Montgomery to Troy, Ozark, and Dothan, and continues into the Florida Panhandle. Through Pike County, the highway carries a mix of local commuters, commercial trucks, school and transit buses, and regional travelers. Traffic often increases during Troy University events and the seasonal travel periods toward the Gulf Coast. The crash site near mile marker 174 lies just southeast of Troy, where highway-speed traffic meets vehicles entering and leaving the city. Drivers in this area should watch for merging traffic, turning vehicles, and changes in speed near intersections and driveways. Current road conditions, lane closures, and traffic alerts for U.S. 231 are available through the Alabama Department of Transportation's ALGO Traffic system.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Alabama follows an at-fault insurance system. The party found responsible for a crash is generally liable for resulting damages. Drivers must carry at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage, plus $25,000 in property damage liability coverage. Alabama is one of the few states that still applies pure contributory negligence, which can bar recovery if an injured party is found even slightly at fault. Under Ala. Code § 6-2-38, personal injury and wrongful death claims generally must be filed within two years. Alabama's wrongful death statute (Ala. Code § 6-5-410) is unusual because recoverable damages are punitive, intended to deter wrongful conduct, rather than compensatory. In non-fatal injury cases, compensation may include medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage may also apply. Alabama's mandatory seat belt law is found at Ala. Code § 32-5B-4.

Related Resources

Local Emergency Services

• Emergency: 911
• Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Highway Patrol Division: https://www.alea.gov
• Troy Police Department and Troy Fire Department, City of Troy: https://www.troyal.gov
• Pike County Sheriff's Office
• Troy Regional Medical Center

Traffic Safety Resources

• Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT): https://www.dot.state.al.us
• ALGO Traffic, real-time Alabama road conditions: https://algotraffic.com
• NHTSA Seat Belt Safety: https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/seat-belts
• ALEA crash report requests: https://www.alea.gov

Support Services for Accident Victims and Families

• Alabama Crime Victims' Compensation Commission: https://acvcc.alabama.gov
• Alabama Department of Mental Health: https://mh.alabama.gov
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) for emotional support after a traumatic event
• National Organizations for Youth Safety (teen driver safety): https://noys.org

State Traffic Laws and Regulations

• Code of Alabama (Alabama Legislature): https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/code-of-alabama
• Alabama Department of Insurance: https://www.aldoi.gov
• ALEA Driver License Division, Alabama Driver Manual: https://www.alea.gov/dps/driver-license