Three young people killed when SUV strikes ditch, overturns, state troopers say

Published 4:16 pm Friday, March 22, 2024

Three young people were killed Thursday night when an SUV veered off the road, struck a ditch and then flipped over, Alabama state troopers said Friday.

The single-vehicle crash occurred at approximately 7:50 p.m. Thursday, and claimed three lives.

An 18-year-old juvenile was fatally injured when the 2001 Toyota 4Runner the teen was driving left the roadway, struck a ditch and overturned.

The 18-year-old was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Riley S. Witt, 20, of Cummings, Ga., and Shennan N. Darst, 19, also of Cummings, Ga., were both passengers in the 4Runner and were also fatally injured. Witt and Darst were also pronounced deceased at the scene.

The crash occurred on U.S. 431 near the 93 mile marker, approximately 15 miles south of Phenix City, in Russell County.