Fatal car crash, identity of driver under investigation in Citronelle; owner of car confirmed

By WILLIE GRAY

A fatal car crash in Citronelle Monday is under investigation by the Citronelle Police Department and Alabama State Troopers.

Police chief Chris McLean said the cause of the crash and the identification of the deceased driver are still in question. However, McLean said authorities confirmed the owner of the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro found crashed in a wooded property off U.S. Highway 45 is Michael Gable, 59, of Citronelle.

“At this time, we cannot confirm the identity of the driver of the vehicle as being Mr. Gable,” McLean said. “We will have to wait until the Alabama Department of Forensic Science submits their report.”

McLean said the driver is believed to have been traveling east on Russell Road, failed to stop at the intersection with U.S. 45 and crashed into the woods. McLean added the car came to a stop 150 to 200 feet from U.S. 45 and was approximately 60 feet into the woods and brush, making it invisible from the busy highway.

McLean said investigators have determined the crash occurred between midnight Nov. 9 and the predawn hours of Nov. 10.

“The fog was extremely heavy those nights and mornings, which might have played a role in the crash,” he said. “We cannot be certain of that.”

McLean said police were called to the scene of the crash Monday evening after someone saw the car in the woods and alerted authorities. McLean and Citronelle officers were dispatched to the scene, at a home located on the east side of U.S. 45 and directly across from the intersection of Russell Road and U.S. 45.

When the vehicle was located and the driver was found inside, McLean said he contacted the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office and the Alabama State Troopers for assistance.

Citronelle police and other agencies collected evidence for several hours before retrieving the vehicle shortly before midnight.

McLean asked anyone who might have information on the crash to call Citronelle police at (251) 866-5527.