Two die in fiery 2-car crash

PHIL CAMPBELL - Authorities are hoping an autopsy will provide a positive identification of two people who were killed in a two-car wreck Friday night.

Phil Campbell Police Chief Merrell Potter said the accident occurred between 11:30-11:45 p.m. on Alabama 13 north.

Potter said two males in a Mercury Cougar were killed in the accident.

The chief said because of the condition of the bodies, they were sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for identification.

"The bodies were burned beyond recognition," said Franklin County Coroner Elzie Malone. "There was no way to identify them."

Authorities did say that both victims were believed to be males, one in mid to late 20s and the other 10 to 13.

Potter said the Cougar they were in was northbound on the two-lane portion of Alabama 13 when the accident occurred.

"It appears that the car went off the (east side of the roadway), then swerved back across the roadway into the path of a Ford pickup in the southbound lane."

Potter said the car was sideways when it crossed into the southbound lane and collided with the pickup.

"Basically, the truck hit the car in the side, and (the car) burst into flames upon impact," the chief said.

He said the driver of the truck, who was from Phil Campbell, sustained minor injuries and was treated at a local hospital.

Emergency officials at the scene said the car didn't appear to have a license plate, which would have helped with the identification process.

"I don't know if it didn't have one or it melted in the fire," Potter said.

He said the bodies were sent to a local funeral home and will be transported to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences office in Huntsville.

"At this point, we just can't say for sure who the victims are. Hopefully, forensics will allow us to identify the bodies very soon," Potter said. "This was a very tragic accident and we're hoping we can have the identification process completed by Monday."

The accident remains under investigation.