At 415 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Ariton, or 8 miles south of Brundidge, moving east at 35 mph. HAZARD…Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail. SOURCE…Radar indicated. IMPACT…Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible. Locations impacted include… Ariton, Java, Bells Crossroads, Greater Salem Church, Skipperville, Dill, Roberts Crossroads, Rocky Head, Arguta, Snells Crossroads, Barefield Crossroads, Roeton, Beamon, Clopton, Phillips Crossroads, Dillard, Ward Bridge, Dykes Crossroads, Bertha, and Hwy 231 Pea River Bridge.
HARTFORD-SLOCOMB-WICKSBURG: This morning Hartford Fire-Rescue, Slocomb Fire-Rescue and Wicksburg Fire-Rescue responded to the traffic accident that claimed a life.
All three departments worked as one, in unison with each other. There were no “I” and only “we” to serve those involved.
At approximately 7:50 a.m. on February 21, 2026, a three-vehicle motor vehicle accident occurred on North State Highway 123 in Hartford.
The driver of one of the vehicles, Veronica Garcia-Mata, age 24, of Hartford, was pronounced deceased at the scene by Donny Adkinson, Geneva County Coroner.
The driver of a second vehicle was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The third driver did not sustain any injuries.
Responding agencies included the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), the Geneva County Sheriff’s Department, and Hartford Fire and Rescue.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Geneva County Coroner’s Office
February 21, 2026
Fatal Pedestrian Incident in Hartford
HARTFORD, AL — At approximately 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2026, a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on East State Highway 52 in Hartford.
Hartford Police Department, Hartford Fire and Rescue, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Geneva County Sheriff’s Department, and Geneva County Coroner Donny Adkinson responded to the scene.
The victim has been identified as 54-year-old Richard Williams Jr. of Hartford, who was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Immediately prior to the incident, a 911 call was received reporting an individual walking in the roadway. The Hartford Police Department is leading the investigation into the incident.
COTTONWOOD: The volunteer members of Cottonwood Rescue and Cottonwood Volunteer Fire Chief Randy Hall saw a great surprise on the Cottonwood Fire Department building today.
Members of the community placed signs and posters on the windows and doors with comments ” GOD has blessed us with a great fire department”, “We appreciate our fireman”, “We love our Fire Department! You are Appreciated”. and many more.
Cottonwood Volunteer Fire Department is under the leadership of Volunteer Fire Chief Randy Hall. He works full time and in addition he and his son, Trenton, along with a host of other dedicated volunteers serve their commmunity.
When the tornado struck Cottonwood, Chief Hall left his full time job, AAA Cooper Transportation, and stayed around the clock all week making sure everyone was cared for. Now Chief Hall will be the first to tell you he did not do it alone. It was the members of the department and a host of other volunteers and agencies that worked around the clock. But Chief Hall would not go home. He was raised in Cottonwood and knows the people and community. And he was not going to rest until everyone that could be helped was helped.
The Cottonwood Volunteer Fire Station was destroyed in the tornado. They have rebuilt the station to better serve the community in times of need.
HATS OFF to all of the men and women who volunteer to serve others in order to save lives and property. Each and everyone of you are very much apperciated for all you do. And THANKS to Chief Hall for all he does, and his lovely wife who let’s him!
DALEVILLE: 5:54 PM Daleville 911 dispatched Daleville Police and Daleville Rescue to a private pond where a teen was found injured.
On arrival emergency crews found a 16 year old male deceased.
Daleville Police Chief John Crawford, Dale County Sheriff Mason Bynum and Dale County Coroner John Cawley responded to the scene.
The 16 year old young man was fishing in a private pond when he was attacked by six Pit Bull dogs. The dogs caused his death. Chief Crawford, Sheriff Bynum, Daleville Police and Dale County Sheriff Deputies had to stand armed while the body was removed and the six dogs were captured. Coroner John Cawley notified 33rd Judicial Circuit District Attorney Kirke Adams.
Daleville Police is in charge of the investigation.
Coroner John Cawley has identifed the 16 year old young man as Gabriel Damien Barron of Daleville. The body will be examined by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.
