Updated 12:15 p.m. July 30.

Two teenagers and a 70-year-old Troy man were killed in a three-vehicle crash late Monday near Henderson.

Victims include Michael Sanders, 17, of Goshen; Denny Strickland, 18, of Luverne and West Wheeler, 70, of Troy.

The crash took place about 1.5 miles west of Henderson on County Road 2276, known as the Henderson-Glenwood Road.

According to law enforcement, a 2008 Nissan Sentra struck the trailer of a 2005 Freightliner hauling logs while it was entering the roadway.

“Moments after the initial crash Wheeler, the driver of the log truck, exited his vehicle and was struck by a 2007 Mercedes C230 driven by Wesley Lavon Person Jr., 23, of Goshen. Wheeler was pronounced dead at the scene,” said Sgt. Drew Brooks, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

Sanders, who was driving the Nissan, and Strickland, a passenger in the vehicle, were killed in the crash. A third teenager was ejected from the vehicle and transported via air ambulance to a Montgomery hospital.

Person, along with a passenger in his vehicle and a passenger in the log truck were all transported to local hospitals for treatment.

“Of the seven people involved, I know five,” said Pike County Sheriff Russell Thomas. “I know the families. It’s extremely hard and is a difficult time for everyone. It’s going to be tough on this community. It’s going to take a while to heal … and some will never heal.”

We will continue to update this information throughout the day.

 

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Three people were killed and four injured in a pair of crashes involving a log truck and two vehicles late Monday night.

The crashes took place around 10:40 p.m. on County Road 2276, known as the Henderson-Glenwood Road, and both involved the single log truck.

“This is a very fluid investigation, obviously, with a lot of moving parts,” said Sgt. Drew Brooks, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. “We cannot release details at this time … but this involved a commercial motor vehicle and two sedans.”

Brooks said three individuals died at the scene, including one resident of Crenshaw County and two Pike County residents. Two individuals, including one teenager, were transported via helicopter to Montgomery and two others were transported via ambulance to area hospitals.

“Of the seven people involved, I know five,” said Pike County Sheriff Russell Thomas. “I know the families. It’s extremely hard and is a difficult time for everyone. It’s going to be tough on this community. It’s going to take a while to heal … and some will never heal.”

Brooks said multiple area agencies responded to the scene, including the Pike County and Crenshaw County sheriff’s departments; the Pike County District Attorney; the Pike County Coroner; the Brantley Police Department; Troy Fire and Rescue; the Henderson and Glenwood Volunteer Fire Departments; Haynes Ambulance; and ALEA.

“Some of these people have known (some of the victims) all of their lives, and this takes on a different meaning,” Brooks said.

Thomas echoed the sentiment, expressing his personal grief and concern for the families of those involved.

“Our hearts and our prayers go out to these families. It’s a very, very sad time. We just pray for these families that are involved in this,” Thomas said.