An Arab man has been indicted in a DUI head-on crash that killed a Blount County mother.

Joshua Cory Dean Carr, 45, is charged with reckless murder, DUI-controlled substance, unlawful possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

Killed in the 2024 crash was 31-year-old Kali Heaton.

The four-count indictment was issued April 23 and made public Monday.

Carr was booked into the Blount County Jail Friday and remains held.

The wreck happened at 7:33 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, on Highway 79, about three miles southwest of Locust Fork.

Trooper Cpl. Reginal King said Heaton was driving a Mazda 3 that collided head-on with a Ford Ranger driven by Carr.

Heaton was pronounced dead at the scene.

Carr was airlifted to UAB Hospital in Birmingham.

ALEA Troopers investigated the wreck.

“Kali was a devoted mother, loved daughter, caring sister, loyal niece, and faithful member of Old Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church,” according to her obituary.

“Kali worked as an optical associate at the Oneonta Wal-Mart Vision Center for 12 years where she graciously cared for her clients.”

Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey said her office presented the case, like all traffic homicides, to a grand jury.

“This is a reminder -drug kill,” Casey said. “They kill not only those who take them but innocent lives like Kali.”