By Tyler Pruett, Managing Editor
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — According to the Fort Payne Police Department, at approximately 11:45 pm last night a one car accident occurred on Godfrey Ave S around the 1500 block. A 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe being driven by Gage LaMichael Howard, age 22 of Fort Payne, lost control of the vehicle leaving the roadway and striking a tree. The vehicle came to rest at a private residence’s yard. Also in the vehicle was Kelsey Ashton Smith, age 24 of Fort Payne.
Both were pronounced dead at the scene. The accident is still under investigation. 22-year-old Howard was the brother of Cody LeDale Wells Yarborough, who tragically passed away after a late-night accident just a little over a year ago. Wells was a Corrections Officer with the Fort Payne Police Department and was serving in the Alabama Army National Guard.
Howard was also a member of the Army National Guard, and had just completed basic training at the time of Wells death. We are not going to contact the family for a statement until a later date out of respect for them, but we ask the community to uplift these good people in their thoughts, prayers, and support.
