SUBJECT:  Traffic Accident Causing Fatality

At approximately 2:30 PM on Wednesday, August 24 our department responded to a traffic accident on I-59 in the north bound lane just north of the Greenhill Blvd. (US 11) in Fort Payne.  A flatbed tractor trailer had struck a car and then fled the scene north bound on I59.  The impact from the truck caused the car to leave the roadway and overturn several times.

The car, a 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, which had also been north bound on I59, was driven by Dorthy Correll, age 71, of Dalton, Ga.  The passengers in the car were Ira Dobson, age 68, of Warner Robbins, Ga., and Shirley Ann Middleton, age 63, of Tunnelhill, Ga.  The three were sisters.  Middleton was ejected from the car and was pronounced dead at the scene.  The other two sisters were transported to BMC Dekalb by Dekalb Ambulance Service.

A tractor trailer rig fitting the description of the one that fled the scene of the accident was located on I59, still north bound, a short time later by Dade County Ga. deputies after they received the lookout from our department.  Our investigators responded to Dade Co. and were able to collect evidence that linked the tractor trailer to the accident.  It was occupied by to Hispanic males.  The driver of the truck was Jesus Castillo, Jr., age 29, of Brownville, Tx.  Both agreed to accompany the investigators back to Fort Payne. The truck, a 1996 Kenworth pulling a flatbed trailer, was impounded.

The driver has been charged with Manslaughter and Felony Leaving the Scene of an Accident.  The tractor trailer allegedly merged from the left lane into the right lane and practically ran over the car before the car left the roadway.  The tractor trailer allegedly stopped momentarily then fled the scene.