Tragic Alabama Highway Collision Claims Florida Family in Sudden Saturday Afternoon Crash
A quiet drizzle fell over rural Alabama on Saturday afternoon when tragedy struck a Florida family traveling west on U.S. Highway 84 near Gordon. What began as an ordinary drive ended in heartbreak as a Toyota 4Runner carrying three loved ones crossed the grassy median into oncoming traffic, colliding with an eastbound semi-truck. The impact was immediate and devastating, leaving three lives lost in an instant and an entire community searching for answers.
Authorities confirmed that Alan David Waller, 74, was behind the wheel of the 2022 Toyota 4Runner, accompanied by his wife Marian Diane Waller, 71, and their daughter Carrie Christine Stone, 49. The family, residents of Floral City and Inverness, Florida, had been traveling together that misty afternoon when their SUV suddenly veered across the highway’s median and into eastbound lanes. Moments later, an oncoming semi-truck, driven by Tracy Deshon Williams, 48, of Texas, struck the vehicle head-on.
The crash occurred just after 12:15 p.m., according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). Responding officers and emergency crews described the scene as catastrophic—the 4Runner’s frame twisted beyond recognition. All three passengers passed on impact. Williams sustained only minor injuries and was treated at the scene before cooperating with investigators.
Authorities have not yet determined what caused the SUV to swerve so sharply across the median. Early reports note that drizzle and mist reduced visibility and left the pavement slick, though investigators have not ruled out mechanical failure or a sudden medical emergency. ALEA officials have appealed to drivers who may have been traveling that stretch of Highway 84 around noon to come forward with dash-cam footage that might shed light on the moments leading up to the collision.
For those who knew the Wallers, the tragedy feels deeply personal. Friends from Citrus County, Florida, describe them as inseparable—a family rooted in faith, kindness, and service. Alan and Marian had been married for more than fifty years, known for their warm smiles and tireless support of church activities and community events. Their daughter Carrie, a devoted member of her local congregation, was described as her parents’ pride and joy, often accompanying them on family trips and outreach projects.
Neighbors recall their home as one where doors were always open and laughter was never far away. “They were the kind of people who showed up for everyone,” said one family friend. “It’s impossible to think of them apart, and somehow, they left this world together.”
The investigation continues, with law enforcement officers piecing together skid marks, roadway conditions, and weather data in hopes of explaining what went wrong in those final seconds. For now, loved ones take small comfort in knowing the three passed together—bound by the same love that carried them through life.
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