State troopers are investigating a fatal single-vehicle accident that claimed the life of a Somerville driver and sent a child to the hospital Sunday evening. The crash occurred shortly before 6 p.m. on Alabama Highway 36, about one mile east of Hartselle in Morgan County.
Investigators report that 69-year-old Kathy D. Tennyson was driving a 2016 Nissan Rogue near the 24-mile marker when the vehicle unexpectedly veered off the road. The Rogue struck a mailbox on the shoulder before colliding directly with a culvert headwall.
The crash triggered a rapid response from local fire departments and emergency personnel. Upon arrival, rescue crews found significant damage to the SUV and immediately began efforts to free the occupants from the wreckage.
Emergency crews loaded Tennyson into an ambulance and rushed her to Cullman Regional Medical Center – Hartselle Health Park ER. Despite emergency room staff working to stabilize her, Tennyson died from her injuries a short time later.
A 10-year-old child sitting in the passenger area survived the initial collision. Medics evaluated the youngster at the scene and transported them to an area hospital for specialized treatment. The extent of the child’s injuries has not been publicly released.
Officers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency are leading the ongoing crash investigation. Troopers are evaluating road conditions, mechanical factors, and driver status to pinpoint why the SUV departed the lane on a clear weekend evening.
Drivers in Morgan County know that the shoulders along Highway 36 offer little room for error when a vehicle strays off the pavement. As state troopers complete their reconstruction of the wreck, local residents remain focused on supporting the surviving child.
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