A tragic accident occurred on Wednesday involving the Alabama Department of Corrections transport van, which was being driven by an inmate. This devastating crash resulted in the loss of two inmates’ lives and left five others injured.
According to Kelly Betts, a spokeswoman for the prison system, inmate Jake Jones was confirmed to be the driver of the van. She stated that the ADOC policy allows certain inmates to independently operate motor vehicles after undergoing a comprehensive screening process.
According to Betts, this is a common practice at state and federal institutions.
According to Betts, the crash on Elder Road in Dadeville occurred when Willie Crayton, Jones, Bruce Clements, Thomas Bass, Heath Garrett, Shawn Wasden, and Richard Jackson, who are inmates at the Alex City Community Based Facility, were returning to the facility after work.
Crayton was declared dead at the accident site, according to Betts. Jones and Clements were rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Sadly, Clements succumbed to his injuries during treatment at the hospital. Jones was then transferred to another hospital for additional medical care. The remaining inmates received treatment for injuries that were not life-threatening.
The crash is currently under investigation by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
In order to comply with DOC policy, inmate drivers are required to possess a valid Alabama driver’s license. Additionally, there are other criteria that must be met, which include:
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- The inmate must be classified as minimum-out or community custody.
- The inmate may not be eligible if the inmate has been convicted of an offense that could evoke negative community reaction.
- The inmate should be emotionally mature and stable as evidenced by inmate records and other documentation.
- The inmate is not eligible if the inmate has had two or more moving violations within the last five years.
- The inmate is not eligible if the inmate has been convicted of a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) offense.
- The inmate must demonstrate proficiency in the operation of the vehicle.
- The inmate is not eligible if the inmate has been convicted of vehicular homicide.
- The inmate must only operate vehicles within the state of Alabama.
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