Limestone County, AL – A 31-year-old Alabama truck driver, John McAdams, has been indicted on murder and DUI charges after allegedly causing eight crashes along Interstate 65 earlier this year.
Prosecutors have called the incident the “27 miles of terror.” Among those killed was 22-year-old William Hardrick, a college football player.
Crashes Sparked by Alcohol and Drugs
Authorities say McAdams admitted to drinking an unknown amount of tequila from a water bottle and taking kratom, an herbal supplement that can affect alertness, before driving his Peterbilt 18-wheeler on May 6 during rush hour.
He reportedly pulled over at the 365-mile marker to rest and drink tequila before taking a nap. Afterward, he continued driving, allegedly without remembering the sequence of events that led to the collisions.
Investigators describe his driving as extremely erratic, with cellphone footage showing the truck swerving in and out of lanes and several collisions occurring in quick succession.
Fatal Collision
The deadliest crash occurred about six miles after his first accident, when McAdams struck the vehicle of William Hardrick, an Adamsville native who played football for Austin Peay State University and Miami University in Ohio.
Hardrick’s car was forced off the road and into a ditch, hitting a wildlife fence and guardrail. The vehicle overturned several times, and Hardrick was partially ejected and pronounced dead at the scene, as per Law&Crime.
Other Crashes
McAdams continued to collide with multiple vehicles, including rear-ending an SUV and forcing another car off the road. Authorities report that the driver ultimately could no longer operate the truck, which was later seen engulfed in flames.
Indictment and Charges
A Limestone County grand jury indicted McAdams on the following:
- 1 count of murder for Hardrick’s death
- 6 counts of leaving the scene of an accident
- 1 count of driving under the influence
- 1 count of trafficking synthetic drugs
His blood alcohol content (BAC) was 0.09, above the 0.04 legal limit for commercial drivers. McAdams is being held without bond.
Authorities continue to investigate the crashes and urge residents to stay vigilant.
What steps do you think can prevent tragedies like this on our highways? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
