Man Killed After Being Struck by Two Vehicles on US Hwy 280 in Lee Co., AL

Lee County, AL (June 24, 2026) – An 86-year-old Atlanta, Georgia, man was killed on Tuesday night, June 23, after being struck by a tractor-trailer truck and then a car while walking on US Highway 280 in Lee County. 

Cleavon Barton was pronounced dead at the scene. The tractor-trailer was driven by 27-year-old Alvin Weekes of Locust Grove, Georgia, and the car was driven by 20-year-old Madisen Stewart of Smiths Station.

No further details about the circumstances leading up to the crash were confirmed in the initial report on the accident. Authorities are still investigating. 

We extend our deepest condolences to the deceased victim's family and all those who loved him.

How Is Fault Determined When Two Cars Strike the Same Person in Lee County, AL?

When two separate vehicles strike the same person in quick succession, determining fault requires a careful examination of each driver's individual actions and the sequence of events leading up to both impacts. 

Under Alabama law, it is possible for one driver, both drivers, or neither driver to bear legal responsibility depending on factors such as visibility conditions at the time of the crash, each driver's speed and reaction time, and whether the pedestrian was already in the roadway when each vehicle approached. 

Thus, establishing this sequence of events, including which vehicle struck the pedestrian first and how much time elapsed before the second impact, will be key to determining how liability is distributed between the two drivers.

Alabama's strict contributory negligence standard adds an additional layer of complexity to cases involving nighttime pedestrian crashes on highways, as insurance companies may attempt to argue that the pedestrian bore some responsibility for walking in the roadway, particularly in low-visibility conditions. 

Under this standard, if a court finds that the deceased contributed in any way to the circumstances of the crash, the family's ability to recover compensation from either driver could be significantly affected. 

This makes a thorough investigation into the specific conditions at the time of the crash, including lighting, weather, and the visibility of the area, particularly important for establishing whether either or both drivers exercised reasonable care.

Due to the fact that two different drivers were involved in this incident, surviving family members may have to file claims against several different parties, and the insurance policies of both the passenger car driver and the tractor-trailer driver may be pertinent to the case.

A wrongful death lawyer in Lee County, AL may be able to assist the family in examining the specific circumstances surrounding both impacts, gathering evidence pertinent to determining each driver's degree of fault, and navigating Alabama's strict contributory negligence standard.

At Cockrell, Cockrell, Ritchey & Ritchey, we assist families throughout Alabama after fatal pedestrian accidents. Our team explains how investigations, insurance coverage, and wrongful death claims may apply to each unique situation.

If you have questions after a fatal pedestrian crash in Alabama, you can contact Cockrell, Cockrell, Ritchey & Ritchey at 205-349-2009 to speak with our wrongful death lawyer.

Notes: Our writers relied on secondary sources to create this article. Our staff has not independently verified all of the circumstances surrounding this accident; therefore, if you find any incorrect information, please contact Cockrell, Cockrell, Ritchey & Ritchey, LLP immediately so that we can update the post to reflect the most accurate information available. The post may be deleted upon request.

Disclaimer: This post's content is not intended to serve as legal or medical advice. The image used in this post was not taken at the described accident scene. This post is not intended as a business solicitation.