Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) State Troopers, Butler County Sheriff’s Office deputies, Greenville Fire Department personnel, and emergency medical service units responded to 911 dispatch calls reporting a severe single-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 31 near mile marker 140, approximately one mile north of Greenville, at around 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. According to preliminary investigative reports, 81-year-old Jessie J. Truitt, of Greenville, was operating a 2007 Chevrolet Impala northbound when the vehicle drifted off the roadway, struck a drainage ditch, and overturned. State troopers reported that Truitt was not wearing a safety belt at the time of the collision. First responders evaluated Truitt at the scene, where he succumbed to fatal impact injuries and was pronounced deceased. Paramedics treated two female passengers, 83-year-old Gracie M. Kelly, of Greenville, and 62-year-old Rosalind R. Roper, of Birmingham, for sustained injuries before transporting them to Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery for further treatment.
Law Enforcement Investigation and Status
ALEA Highway Patrol Division crash reconstructionists secured the crash site and closed the affected section of U.S. Highway 31 for several hours to map physical scene evidence, analyze tire marks, and clear vehicle debris. State troopers maintain an active, ongoing investigation into the specific mechanical, environmental, or medical factors that caused the vehicle to leave the highway. Official post-mortem proceedings and formal cause-of-death determinations are being completed under the jurisdiction of the Butler County Coroner’s Office.
Tributes and Memorial Notices
News of Truitt’s sudden passing brought deep sorrow to his family, friends, and fellow community members across Greenville and Butler County. Loved ones remembered the 81-year-old resident for his personal connections, warm character, and lasting presence in the lives of those around him. Official details regarding public visitation hours, memorial services, and formal funeral arrangements will be announced by authorized family representatives once plans are finalized.
#truitt#jessie#death#obituary
