Fatal crash in Jemison temporarily destroys water line

Published 4:04 pm Tuesday, August 6, 2013

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A single-vehicle crash on County Road 42 near the intersection of County Road 38 in Jemison late Monday resulted in one fatality.

Ronald Walker, 40, of Jemison was killed shortly after 11:30 p.m. on Monday after the Ford Mustang GT he was driving left the roadway, struck a fire hydrant, destroyed a water line and slammed into a tree.

The passenger of the vehicle had minor injuries including a broken leg and was transported to a local hospital for the injury.

A dog that was also inside of the vehicle died as a result of the crash.

Jemison Police Chief Shane Fulmer said the car was traveling at excessive speed along the road that has a speed limit of 35 mph.

Fulmer said neither of the men was wearing a seatbelt and the only contributing factor to the crash appeared to be speed.

“They were driving too fast and lost control of the vehicle,” Fulmer said.

When the vehicle destroyed the 6-inch water line, Fulmer said residents in part of the city were without water for a few hours.

Deputy Chief Marc McMinn said the water service was restored during a time when most people are sleeping.

Fulmer said the city had received a few calls from residents complaining mud was in their water early Tuesday morning but Fulmer said the problem had been corrected.

Jemison Police Department and Jemison Fire Department responded to the call.