Town Creek Man Killed in Head-On Crash on Rural Lawrence County Road; ALEA Investigating Cause of Fatal Collision

Town Creek Man Killed in Head-On Crash on Rural Lawrence County Road; ALEA Investigating Cause of Fatal Collision

LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ala. — June 11, 2025 — A tragic collision in rural Lawrence County claimed the life of a Town Creek resident late Tuesday night. Authorities with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) confirmed that 42-year-old Anthony B. Maxwell was killed in a head-on crash, marking yet another somber chapter in the ongoing challenge of improving road safety across Alabama’s rural highways.

The accident occurred just before midnight on County Road 236, a lightly traveled but often hazardous stretch of road located a few miles outside of Town Creek. According to an initial report from ALEA troopers, Maxwell was driving a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado when, for reasons still under investigation, his vehicle collided head-on with a 2017 Ford F-150 traveling in the opposite direction.

Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene following 911 calls reporting a serious crash. When first responders arrived, they found both vehicles severely damaged. Maxwell was pronounced dead at the scene from injuries sustained in the collision. The driver of the other vehicle, whose name has not been released, was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Investigators have not yet determined what caused the two vehicles to collide. However, officials are looking into several possible contributing factors, including road conditions, vehicle speed, and whether alcohol, fatigue, or distraction may have played a role. Weather conditions at the time were reportedly clear, and the road was dry.

“This is a deeply tragic loss for the Town Creek community,” said Sgt. Jeremy Burkett, spokesperson for ALEA. “Our thoughts are with Mr. Maxwell’s family during this incredibly difficult time. We are working diligently to piece together the facts of this crash and to determine exactly what happened.”

The crash shut down the affected section of County Road 236 for several hours overnight as ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division conducted a detailed on-scene investigation. The road has since been reopened.

Anthony B. Maxwell was known by friends and family as a dedicated worker, loving father, and loyal friend. News of his death sent shockwaves through the small, close-knit community of Town Creek, where Maxwell had lived most of his life. Friends and relatives took to social media early Wednesday morning to express their grief and share memories of a man they described as kind, hardworking, and always willing to lend a helping hand.

Local officials and safety advocates once again emphasized the importance of cautious driving on Alabama’s rural roads, where visibility, lighting, and lane width can sometimes make even short trips more dangerous.

“Rural roads account for a disproportionate number of fatal crashes in Alabama,” noted Kelly Bragg, a transportation safety advocate with the Alabama Traffic Safety Coalition. “These roads often lack the protective features seen on major highways—like divided lanes or rumble strips—and require drivers to be especially alert at all times.”

As of early June 2025, Alabama has already recorded more than 400 traffic-related fatalities statewide—on pace with previous years, and a sobering reminder of the need for vigilance behind the wheel.

The investigation into Tuesday night’s crash remains ongoing. ALEA has asked anyone who may have witnessed the incident or observed the vehicles beforehand to come forward with information that could assist the case.

A memorial service for Anthony B. Maxwell is expected to be announced in the coming days. Friends and family have set up a local fund to help support Maxwell’s children in the wake of his sudden passing.

Editor’s Note:

Motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of death in the United States, particularly in rural areas. If you or someone you know regularly drives at night or on unlit roads, safety experts recommend slowing down, wearing seat belts at all times, and avoiding distractions or impairment of any kind.

For those affected by traffic fatalities and in need of grief counseling, resources are available through local support groups and the Alabama Department of Mental Health.