A tragic single-vehicle accident occurred late Saturday night, June 21, on Keenes Mill Road, just east of Tuscaloosa city limits. According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), at approximately 11 p.m., 22‑year‑old Marcos Morales was driving a 2018 Ford F‑150 when the truck abruptly left the roadway near Hurricane Road, roughly six miles east of Tuscaloosa in Tuscaloosa County .
Investigators report that the pickup veered off the pavement, struck an embankment, and collided forcefully with a tree. The impact caused the vehicle to burst into flames. Morales, who was not wearing a seat belt at the time, was ejected from the vehicle during the crash. Emergency responders arrived to find the pickup engulfed in fire, and tragically, he was pronounced dead at the sce
Victim’s Background and Ongoing Investigation
Marcos Morales, a resident of Tuscaloosa, was merely 22 years old. The circumstances of the crash remain under investigation by ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division, which continues to gather evidence to ascertain contributing factors such as speed, mechanical failure, or any impairment .
Authorities emphasized that Morales was not wearing his seat belt—a factor that likely contributed to him being ejected from the vehicle. Officials hope this tragic incident serves as a reminder about the life-saving importance of wearing seat belts, particularly on rural roads late at nig
Community Reaction and Safety Reminder
The crash shocked local residents in Tuscaloosa County. Highway patrol and emergency personnel responded swiftly, but the severity of the crash left little chance for survival. A patch of the community has expressed grief, with friends and neighbors emphasizing the loss of a young life in a violent accident.
State troopers have urged drivers traveling late at night on rural roads like Keenes Mill Road to take extra precautions: observe speed limits, wear seat belts, and stay alert, as changing road conditions can quickly lead to disaster
If you’d like the full original story, you can find it on local Tuscaloosa news outlets including WBRC, ABC 33/40, and Patch:
WBRC: details of the crash and fire after Morales drove off-road and struck a tree
Patch: posted by Ryan Phillips, adds time (≈11 p.m.) and location context (~6 miles east of Tuscaloosa)
ABC 33/40: reinforces that the Highway Patrol is still investigating the cause
This is a somber reminder of how quickly a moment on the road can turn deadly. If you’d like updates on the investigation or traffic safe
ty tips in the area, just let me know
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