Man Killed in I-65 Pedestrian Crash on Ramp From I-10 During Friday Rush Hour

MOBILE, Ala. — A man was killed in an I-65 pedestrian crash Friday evening after he was hit by a vehicle while trying to cross the ramp that carries westbound Interstate 10 traffic onto northbound Interstate 65 in Mobile, according to the Mobile Police Department.

The crash happened at the height of the Friday rush hour at one of the busiest highway junctions in south Alabama. Police have not released the man’s name while they work to notify his family, and the driver of the vehicle has not been identified publicly.

What Police Say Happened

Officers were called at about 5:06 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, to a report of a pedestrian struck on the northbound I-65 ramp from westbound I-10, police said. Mobile Fire-Rescue Department crews also responded to the scene.

Police said the man was found critically injured and died of his injuries; MPD’s weekend summary listed him as deceased on scene. According to the department, investigators determined that a vehicle traveling north on I-65 struck the man as he was attempting to cross the roadway.

Police have not said why the man was on foot on the interstate, where he was coming from or where he was trying to go. They also have not said whether the driver stayed at the scene, whether any charges are being considered, or whether impairment or speed is believed to have played a role.

A Mobile police officer said the crash remains under investigation. Police said next of kin were still being notified as of Monday, Oct. 19.

A Busy Interchange at Rush Hour

The junction of I-65 and I-10 on Mobile’s west side is the starting point of Interstate 65, which begins at I-10 in Mobile and runs north through Montgomery and Birmingham on its way toward the Great Lakes region. I-10, the southernmost cross-country interstate, carries traffic east toward Baldwin County and Florida and west toward Mississippi.

Because the interchange links those two major routes, it carries heavy volumes of commuters, freight trucks and travelers, particularly during the evening commute. Ramps at a system interchange like this one often have high speeds, merging traffic and limited shoulder space, conditions that leave little margin for a driver to react to someone on foot.

Interstates are controlled-access highways. They are built without sidewalks or crosswalks and are designed only for motor vehicles, so a person walking on or across an interstate ramp is exposed to fast-moving traffic with few, if any, safe places to stand.

Pedestrian Deaths a Persistent Concern

Friday’s death adds to a national problem that traffic safety officials have tracked for years. Federal data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have shown more than 7,000 pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in the United States in each of the most recent reported years, a level well above where it stood a decade earlier. Safety researchers have consistently found that most pedestrian deaths happen after dark and away from intersections, and that higher vehicle speeds sharply raise the likelihood that a pedestrian struck by a vehicle will not survive.

Staying Safe If You Are Stranded on an Interstate

Police have not said whether the man in Friday’s crash had been in a vehicle that broke down. Still, safety agencies commonly offer the following guidance for anyone who ends up on foot near an interstate, whether because of a breakdown, a crash or another emergency:

• Do not attempt to cross interstate lanes or ramps on foot. Traffic often moves faster than it appears, and drivers do not expect pedestrians.
• If your vehicle breaks down, pull as far off the roadway as possible, turn on your hazard lights and, when it is safe, stay buckled in your vehicle while you call for help.
• If you must leave the vehicle, exit on the side away from traffic and move well away from the travel lanes, behind a guardrail if one is available.
• Call 911 for emergencies or if you are stranded in a dangerous spot. Alabama motorists can also dial *HP (*47) to reach the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s state troopers.
• Wear light or reflective clothing and carry a flashlight if you must be near a roadway at night.

Drivers can help as well by slowing down, staying alert and avoiding distractions such as phones, especially in heavy traffic and around interchanges, where unexpected hazards are more likely.

What Happens Next

In fatal crashes, Mobile police investigators typically reconstruct the collision, review physical evidence and any available video, and interview the driver and witnesses. Findings can take weeks, and investigators may consult with prosecutors before any decision on charges is made, if charges are warranted at all.

Police said they will release the man’s name after his family has been notified. Anyone who saw the crash on the I-10 to I-65 ramp on Friday evening, or who has dash camera video from the area around 5 p.m., is asked to contact the Mobile Police Department at 251-208-7211.