Man Killed After Being Ejected in Single-Vehicle Crash on East I-65 Service Road in Mobile

MOBILE, Ala. — A man died early Sunday, Oct. 25, after he was thrown from his vehicle in a single-vehicle crash on the East Interstate 65 Service Road in Mobile, according to the Mobile Police Department.

Police have not released the man’s name. Officials said his identity will be made public once his next of kin have been notified.

What police say happened

Mobile police said officers were called to a traffic crash at about 1:44 a.m. Sunday in the 1700 block of East I-65 Service Road, near the Dean McCrary Mazda dealership.

When officers arrived, they found a male victim who had been ejected from a vehicle following a single-vehicle crash.

Mobile Fire-Rescue Department personnel gave the man medical aid at the scene before he was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police said he was pronounced dead a short time later at the hospital.

Vehicle left the road and hit a culvert

According to police, investigators determined the vehicle was traveling south on the East I-65 Service Road when it left the roadway and struck a concrete culvert. The impact ejected the driver from the vehicle.

Police did not say whether anyone else was in the vehicle, what may have caused it to leave the road, or whether speed, impairment or weather played a role. No other vehicles were reported to be involved.

About the East I-65 Service Road

The East I-65 Service Road runs parallel to Interstate 65 through west-central Mobile and carries a mix of local and commercial traffic. The 1700 block area is lined with businesses, including car dealerships, and sees heavy traffic during the day. Late-night and early-morning hours typically bring lighter traffic but can carry added risks, including reduced visibility, fatigue and higher speeds.

Concrete culverts and drainage structures are common along roadside ditches in Mobile, which handles heavy rainfall throughout the year. When a vehicle leaves the pavement, those fixed objects can cause severe crashes.

Ejection crashes and seat belts

Police did not say whether the driver was wearing a seat belt. Nationally, traffic safety officials have long reported that people who are ejected from a vehicle in a crash are far more likely to be killed than those who stay inside. Seat belts are the most effective way to prevent ejection, and Alabama law requires front-seat occupants to wear them.

Traffic safety experts recommend these steps to reduce the risk of serious crashes, especially at night:

• Always wear a seat belt, on every trip, in every seat.
• Never drive impaired. Plan a sober ride or use a rideshare service.
• Slow down, particularly on curves and roads with ditches or drainage structures nearby.
• Avoid driving when drowsy, and pull over in a safe place if you feel tired.
• Put the phone away and stay focused on the road.

Investigation continues

The crash remains under investigation by the Mobile Police Department. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information that could help investigators is encouraged to contact Mobile police.

South Alabama News will update this story when police release the victim’s name or additional details about the crash.

Key facts

• When: About 1:44 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 25
• Where: 1700 block of East I-65 Service Road, near Dean McCrary Mazda, Mobile
• What: Single-vehicle crash; southbound vehicle left the roadway and hit a concrete culvert
• Victim: Male driver, ejected; taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries and pronounced dead
• Responders: Mobile Police Department and Mobile Fire-Rescue Department
• Victim’s name: Withheld pending notification of next of kin