Burning Log Truck Shuts Down Highway 10 Bridge Over Alabama River in Wilcox County

CAMDEN, Ala. — A two-vehicle crash that left a log truck in flames shut down the Frank Dobson Bridge over the Alabama River on State Highway 10 in Wilcox County for several hours Monday, and the span will carry a narrowed lane until damage from the wreck can be repaired.

The crash happened Monday, Sept. 28, on the stretch of Highway 10 between Camden and Yellow Bluff, according to Wilcox County 911 and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. The log truck caught fire after the collision and blocked the bridge while crews worked the scene.

The people involved were taken to J. Paul Jones Hospital in Camden with injuries that were not considered life-threatening, said Robert Green, who serves as both mayor and fire chief of nearby Pine Hill.

Bridge reopened after state inspection

Because the fire and the impact affected the bridge itself, the span could not simply be reopened once the wreckage was cleared. Authorities said the bridge was reopened only after a state inspection was completed.

ALEA reported that the roadway near the 70-mile marker of Highway 10 was cleared and reopened by about 9 p.m. Monday. The agency’s Highway Patrol Division is investigating what caused the crash.

Motorists are being urged to use caution when crossing. Plastic barriers have been placed along part of the bridge, narrowing the roadway in one area until repairs can be made. Officials have not said how long the repairs will take or whether additional lane restrictions or closures will be needed while the work is done.

What drivers should know

• Location: Frank Dobson Bridge over the Alabama River, State Highway 10, between Camden and Yellow Bluff
• Status: Open, with plastic barriers narrowing the roadway in one section
• Advice: Slow down, stay alert for the lane shift and give extra space to large trucks
• Repairs: Pending; no timeline announced

Drivers should watch for changes in traffic patterns, reduce speed in the work zone and avoid passing on the bridge. Updated road conditions on state routes are available through the Alabama Department of Transportation’s ALGO Traffic service.

Why a fire matters for a bridge

Bridges are designed to carry heavy loads for decades, but intense heat from a vehicle fire can damage concrete, steel and protective coatings, and the force of a collision can damage railings and barriers. That is why transportation agencies typically send inspectors to examine a span before traffic is allowed back on after a serious crash or fire.

Under federal standards, highway bridges in Alabama receive routine inspections at regular intervals, generally every two years, with additional inspections after damage from crashes, floods or other events. The barriers now in place on the Highway 10 bridge are a common temporary measure to keep vehicles away from a damaged section of railing or deck while permanent repairs are designed and scheduled.

A key river crossing in rural Wilcox County

The Alabama River winds through the middle of Wilcox County, and bridge crossings are limited. Highway 10 is one of the main routes linking Camden, the county seat, with communities to the west such as Yellow Bluff and Pine Hill, so closing the bridge even for an afternoon can force long detours for residents, school traffic, emergency vehicles and commercial haulers.

The route is also important to the area’s timber industry. Forestry is a major part of the economy across Wilcox County and the surrounding Black Belt region, and loaded log trucks are a constant presence on its two-lane highways as they carry timber from the woods to sawmills and paper mills.

Sharing the road with log trucks

Fully loaded log trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds or more and need far more distance to stop than a passenger car. Safety officials offer several tips for drivers who share rural highways with them:

• Stay out of a truck’s blind spots, including directly behind it and alongside the cab.
• Do not follow too closely; loose bark and debris can fall from loads.
• Pass only where it is legal and there is plenty of clear road ahead, and never on a bridge or in a narrowed lane.
• Expect trucks to slow down when turning onto or off of logging roads.
• Be patient on narrow bridges and in work zones.

Local responders

Crashes on rural highways in Wilcox County often draw a combination of state troopers, county 911 dispatchers, volunteer and municipal fire departments and ambulance services. J. Paul Jones Hospital, in Camden, is the county’s hospital and serves as the nearest emergency room for much of the area.

What happens next

ALEA troopers will continue their investigation into the cause of the crash. Authorities have not released the names of the drivers or said whether any citations will be issued.

Repairs to the bridge are expected to be scheduled once the extent of the damage is fully assessed. Until then, drivers crossing the Alabama River on Highway 10 should expect the narrowed lane and take extra care. This story will be updated if officials announce a repair timeline or additional closures.