A truck driver is under arrest after being accused of causing a series of crashes that killed a man and injured another just outside Athens in Limestone County.

John W. McAdams, 31, Winfield, is charged with murder, two counts of felony leaving the scene of an accident and driving under the influence of alcohol.

The crashes occurred on Interstate 65 near U.S. 31, about two miles north of Athens.

Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said McAdams was driving a tractor-trailer on Tuesday, April 6 around 6 p.m. when he hit a car driven by 22-year-old William D. Hardrick of Birmingham.

Hardrick’s car left the road, struck a fence, a guardrail and overturned. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Troopers said McAdams failed to stop and fled the scene.

Before hitting Hardrick, McAdams was involved in a crash where his truck struck a 2017 Nissan Sentra driven by Gabrielle H. Furline, 20, of Athens.

Furline was injured and taken to Athens Hospital for treatment.

After striking multiple vehicles the Peterbilt eventually came to a stop and caught fire.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Highway Patrol Division continues to investigate the incidents.