Demopolis High junior, other driver die in major wreck on US 80

The driver of the other vehicle involved in a Jan. 6 crash that killed a Demopolis High School student also died in the wreck, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said today.

Authur L. Mendenhall, 75, of Pine Hill, was fatally injured when the 2012 Ram 1500 pickup he was driving collided head-on with the 2013 Nissan Altima driven by a 16-year-old juvenile from Faunsdale, according to the ALEA bulletin. Demopolis High School confirmed that the 16-year-old is Braleigh Busbee, a junior at the school.

Mendenhall and Busbee were both pronounced deceased at the scene, according to ALEA.

A second teen in the car driven by Busbee, Zackery Tucker, was badly injured. A family friend called them "high school sweethearts" in a post on social media. The post said Tucker was airlifted to UAB and underwent several surgeries.

Nicole S. Stacy, 32, of Thomasville and Dorothy S. Grayson, 56, of Pine Hill, who were passengers in the Ram, were both injured and transported to Whitfield Regional Hospital in Demopolis for medical treatment, according to ALEA. A 5-year-old and a 3-year-old, who were also passengers in the Ram, were injured and transported to an area hospital for medical treatment.

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Demopolis High School posted a statement on social media Wednesday morning – the first day back to school after the Christmas holidays – saying the school is “heartbroken by the devastating loss of one of our junior class students, Braleigh Busbee, who tragically passed away in a car accident last night. We extend our deepest condolences to Braleigh’s family, friends, and all those affected by this unimaginable loss.”

The school asked for thoughts and prayers for the school community “during this incredibly difficult time.”

“We also ask for continued prayers and healing for the other student involved, Zackery Tucker, who is currently hospitalized,” the school said.

DHS made counselors and support staff available to assist students and faculty “as we navigate this profound loss together,” the statement said.

The crash occurred on U.S. 80 near the 48 mile marker, approximately five miles west of Uniontown in Marengo County, the ALEA bulletin said.