“BLOODY 98” MOBILE COUNTY, ALABAMA CLAIMS ANOTHER LIFE
The section of Highway 98 near Semmes, Alabama (commonly known as “Bloody 98” among local residents), has claimed another life. A three vehicle crash involving a minivan and two 18-wheelers claimed the life of 32 year old Steven Joseph Rich of Lucedale, Mississippi (http://wkrg.com/2015/10/28/driver-on-98-dies-after-hitting-two-18-wheelers).
Mr. Rich was driving a 1998 Mazda MPV when he collided with a 2009 Peterbilt tractor trailer and then struck a 2001 Volvo tractor trailer. Apparently the minivan clipped the tail of one tractor trailer, then came around the corner and veered into oncoming traffic. At this time the van skimmed the side of the second tractor trailer. There were still pieces of the minivan attached to the trailer from the impact. Kerry Evans of the Tillman’s Corner Volunteer Fire Department told WKRG TV “Highway 98 has had the name ‘Bloody 98’ since back in the 70’s or maybe even the 60’s”. Evans said he has been working this stretch of Highway 68 since the 70’s and says it lives up to its terrible nickname. Mr. Evans says he has worked at least three fatalities in this spot. (This is the third accident in two days on Highway 98.)
Mobile County Commissioner Connie Hudson is now urging Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley to take a fraction of the state’s BP settlement money to finish the two decades worth of effort to upgrade the road. Five people have died in the last three years in crashes along the unimproved portion. Another 72 motorists were injured. ALDOT reports that the stretch of 98 through Semmes is now the busiest two-lane state road averaging more than 18,630 cars per day.
Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood said “It’s a major public safety issue in the community and has been for far too long.” Matthew Ericksen, Assistant Region Engineer for the Alabama Department of Transportation Southwest Region stated that the unimproved section of Highway 98 is the number one priority for upgrades of two-lane roadways in the State of Alabama.
Let’s all hope that the “Bloody 98” gets the well deserved attention it has needed for decades.
