Coroner: 1 dead in multi-boat crash on Smith Lake
CULLMAN COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — Several agencies are responding to a fatal boat crash on Smith Lake Wednesday morning.
Officials with Cullman County EMA stated the crash happened around 7 a.m. in the area of Miller Bottom.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency told News 19 they are also investigating the crash and information would be provided as it becomes available.
There is a Major League Fishing tournament happening on Smith Lake April 15-17. Joe Opager with MLF told CBS 42 sister station WHNT News 19 they are working to gather more information and details to learn more about what is going on at the lake.
Cullman County Coroner Jeremy Kilpatrick told News 19 that one person is dead.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information enters the newsroom.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
Gov. Kay Ivey ceremonially signs Safe Alabama bill package
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — Governor Kay Ivey ceremonially signed her 'Safe Alabama' bill package on Thursday. With her signature, Gov. Ivey banned Glock switches and expanded police immunity in the state. While law enforcement and leaders are excited, some people expressed concerns about one of the bills. One bill makes it a crime to possess machine gun conversion devices in the state. Another makes law enforcement immune from lawsuits unless they clearly violate someone's civil rights. Gov. Ivey said Alabama is the most pro-law enforcement state in the nation. 'I'm proud to be a part of it,' she said. 'Public safety is important. We've taken steps to make it easier for police and law enforcement to do their jobs and do it effectively.' Another bill expanded Aniah's Law, allowing judges to deny bail for more kinds of violent offenses. Hal Taylor, secretary of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, said these statutes will increase recruitment. 'If I do my job properly, and somebody doesn't agree with what happened, I could possibly be in jail? And now, they've got something to know, that somebody's there with them to back them if they do have a use-of-force case?' said Taylor. 'It's a gamechanger for us.' But, Rep. Curtis Travis (D-Tuscaloosa) said that protection for use-of-force cases could actually have consequences. Report: Helicopter pilot had 'do not fly' medication in his system at the time of fatal 2023 crash in Alabama 'Just hiring people, just because they say, 'I want to be a police officer,' I think that's the wrong attitude to take. You've got some people whose attitude and position will not follow what you will strive for as a proper law enforcement,' said Travis. 'You know?' House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter said the police immunity bill, and the package overall, will help retain more police officers. 'I think that one's positive,' he said. 'Both sides of the aisle had a chance to look at it, so I believe it's going to be positive for law enforcement officers across the state. We've had some issues in metropolitan areas where crime has spiked, at a point where it's hurt recruiting businesses and bringing industry into the state.' The bill expanding police immunity will take effect on October 1. Gov. Ivey said a safe Alabama is a secure future for Alabama. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith accuses district attorney of lying about severity of charges against him
WALKER COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — The embattled sheriff of Walker County is countering prosecutors' claims on the penalty of the crimes he is charged with, alleging they were purposefully misstated to sway the upcoming election next year. On Monday, Sheriff Nick Smith was indicted on charges related to hiring six men as deputies who weren't certified by the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission. Likewise, Chief Deputy Ralph Williams was charged with lying to the APOSTC about firing a deputy who was still on the force. Specifically, Smith is charged with six counts of violating article of standards for employing law enforcement officers. According to the Code of Alabama, the charge is a misdemeanor subject to fines of no more than $1,000. During a press conference announcing the charges against Smith, however, District Attorney Bill Adair claimed the charges could result in up to three months in jail and a $500 fine on each charge. 'That it is the belief of Sheriff Smith that the District Attorney has purposely misstated/overstated the penalty for the charges against the Sheriff for the express purpose of negatively influencing potential voters in the upcoming election,' wrote Thomas Carmichael, Smith's attorney. Following the indictment, which he called 'lawfare' and a 'political arrest,' Smith accused Adair of going after him to help J.C. Poe, chief of the Jasper Police Department who is running against him in an election to be held November 3, 2026. Responding to Smith's accusations, Adair said the sheriff was living in an 'alternate reality.' Carmichael has requested that the penalty for the charges against Smith be certified to reflect no jail time and no more than a $1,000 fine. The case is ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Eastaboga man killed Talladega County crash
TALLADEGA COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — An Eastoboga man was killed in a Talladega County crash Monday evening. 29-year-old Benjamin A. Ricks was traveling on Hwy 21 near mile marker 241 when he collided head-on with a tractor-trailer around 7:35 p.m. Ricks was pronounced dead at the scene, according to state troopers. Trump says he will reverse Fort Novosel name change Troopers with the highway patrol division continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
