Marla Jones, Managing Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

By Marla Jones

Managing Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

POWELL, Ala.- On Tuesday, February 13, at approximately 2:30 p.m., emergency personnel responded to a vehicle accident in Powell, at the intersection of Highway 35 (Main Street and Traylor Street), where a car had collided with a wagon being pulled by a horse. 

According to Powell Fire Chief, Martin Miller, the accident involved a Mennonite family of four, in a horse-drawn wagon. All involved reported only minor injuries.

The driver communicated that he had looked off for a moment when the accident occurred. Alcohol was not a factor in the accident.

Chief Miller stated the horse involved was loaded in a trailer and carried to the Mennonite Community. A determination was to be made after observation if the horse was to be put down. It was later reported that the horse sustained fatal injuries.

In 2021, a group of Mennonites from Tennessee purchased 500 acres north of Alabama Highway 71 and west of County Road 19 in Section, where they have a market for their produce and woodwork.

To the joy of many, horse-drawn carriages can be observed across DeKalb and Jackson Counties. 

“I have contacted the State of Alabama Department of Transportation in regards to installing horse-drawn vehicle caution signs along AL 35 and AL 75”, said Rainsville Police Chief Edmondson. “Hopefully in the near future, there will be signs along those highways to remind drivers to share the road with these types of vehicles”.

Title 32 in the Alabama Code Book contains the ”Rules of the Road”. 32-5A-5 Specifically states that animal-drawn vehicles have the same rights on a roadway as any motor-driven vehicle. 

Please be sure to watch for these buggies as you are traveling throughout the area.