(Trussville / Jefferson County, Alabama — April 1, 2026) – A 27-year-old Gadsden man has tragically died after his vehicle struck the rear of a tractor-trailer on Interstate 59 within the Trussville city limits late Monday night, authorities report. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is investigating the fatal crash, which claimed the life of the driver after he was transported to UAB Hospital in Birmingham.
Key Takeaways
- Saleh A. M. Muflehi, 27, of Gadsden, died after the 2016 Kia Soul he was driving struck the rear of a 2021 Peterbilt 567 tractor-trailer on Interstate 59 near mile marker 140 within the Trussville city limits, just after 10:00 p.m. on Monday, March 30, 2026.
- Muflehi was critically injured in the crash and transported to UAB Hospital in Birmingham, where he was pronounced dead on March 31.
- ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
- Official crash reports can be requested from ALEA after the investigation concludes.
- Fob James Law Firm offers free consultations to families of victims injured or killed in truck accidents in Jefferson County and across Alabama, with no fees unless recovery occurs.
What Happened: Kia Soul Strikes Rear of Peterbilt Tractor-Trailer on I-59
The crash occurred just after 10:00 p.m. on Monday, March 30, 2026, on Interstate 59 near mile marker 140 within the Trussville city limits in Jefferson County. According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Saleh A. M. Muflehi, 27, of Gadsden, was driving a 2016 Kia Soul when it struck the rear of a 2021 Peterbilt 567 tractor-trailer.
Muflehi was critically injured in the collision and transported to UAB Hospital in Birmingham for emergency treatment. He succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at UAB Hospital on March 31, 2026.
ALEA troopers from the Highway Patrol Division are continuing their investigation into the crash. No information regarding the tractor-trailer driver or the circumstances that placed the commercial vehicle in the path of the Kia has been publicly released at this time.
Traffic and Community Impact
Interstate 59 in Trussville is a heavily traveled stretch of interstate within Jefferson County, carrying both commuter traffic and commercial freight between Birmingham and points northeast. The area near mile marker 140 falls within the busy Trussville corridor, a stretch that sees high volumes of both passenger vehicles and commercial trucks, particularly during evening and overnight hours when freight movement peaks.
Late-night rear-end crashes involving tractor-trailers and passenger vehicles are among the most catastrophic collision types on Alabama interstates. The significant size and weight disparity between a commercial Peterbilt 567 — which can weigh up to 80,000 pounds fully loaded — and a passenger Kia Soul means the forces involved in even a relatively low-speed impact can be devastating.
What Investigators Will Examine
ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division will conduct a thorough investigation. Given the nature of this rear-end crash involving a commercial vehicle, investigators will likely focus on:
- Tractor-trailer positioning — whether the Peterbilt was legally stopped, traveling at a safe speed, or otherwise positioned in a manner that created a hazard for following traffic
- Lighting and visibility — whether the tractor-trailer had functioning rear lights, reflectors, and conspicuity tape as required by federal safety standards
- Tractor-trailer speed — whether the commercial vehicle slowed or stopped unexpectedly in a travel lane
- Driver conduct — whether the Kia driver had adequate time and distance to react, and whether any distraction, fatigue, or impairment played a role
- The tractor-trailer driver’s hours-of-service records — commercial drivers are subject to federal regulations limiting consecutive hours of operation
- Vehicle inspection and maintenance records — brake condition, lighting systems, and mechanical fitness of both vehicles
- Physical evidence including skid marks, event data recorder (EDR/black box) data, and final vehicle positions
- Any available dashcam, traffic camera, or commercial vehicle fleet GPS data
An official crash report from ALEA will document findings and is essential for any insurance claims or legal action.
How to Contact ALEA for Official Crash Reports
After an investigation, you can request the official crash report from ALEA:
Crash Report Request Options
📍 Mail/In-Person: Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Records / Crash Reports 301 S. Ripley Street Montgomery, AL 36104
📞 Phone: (334) 517-2800
🌐 Online: Crash reports are often available via the Alabama Interactive portal once finalized and released.
Crash reports typically take 7–10 business days to become available, though timing can vary based on investigation complexity.
Legal Considerations After a Fatal Truck Accident on an Alabama Interstate
Rear-end crashes involving tractor-trailers raise complex liability questions that go well beyond a standard car accident claim. When a commercial vehicle is involved, multiple parties may share responsibility, including:
- The tractor-trailer driver — for unsafe lane positioning, sudden braking, failure to maintain proper conspicuity lighting, or operating while fatigued
- The trucking company or carrier — for negligent hiring, inadequate training, failure to maintain the vehicle, or pressuring drivers to violate hours-of-service regulations
- A maintenance contractor — if defective brake lights or other equipment failures contributed to the collision
- A freight broker or shipper — in some cases where dispatch decisions contributed to unsafe operating conditions
Truck accident cases are governed by a complex web of federal regulations administered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), including rules on hours of service, vehicle inspections, driver qualification, and equipment standards. Violations of these rules can form the basis for a negligence claim — but identifying and preserving the evidence requires acting quickly.
Critical evidence in cases like this includes the tractor-trailer’s electronic logging device (ELD) data, the truck’s event data recorder, maintenance and inspection records, the driver’s qualification file, and any fleet GPS or dashcam footage — all of which can be lost or destroyed if a legal hold is not placed promptly.
Under Alabama law, a wrongful death claim may be brought by the personal representative of the deceased’s estate when a death results from the negligent or wrongful act of another party. Time is of the essence — both for evidence preservation and because Alabama’s statute of limitations for wrongful death claims is two years from the date of death.
Fob James Law Firm — Serving Trussville, Jefferson County, and All of Alabama
At Fob James Law Firm, our truck accident attorneys and wrongful death lawyers have extensive experience representing Alabama families after devastating commercial vehicle crashes on interstates like I-59. We serve clients throughout Birmingham, Trussville, and all of Jefferson County. We offer:
✅ Free, no-obligation case reviews ✅ Immediate evidence preservation and coordination with accident reconstruction specialists ✅ Representation on a contingency-fee basis — no fees unless you recover
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Fob James, IV
Fob James obtained a B.S., in software engineering from Auburn University and then continued his education by getting his J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law. After working for a large national firm for several years, Fob found that his passion was fighting for individuals who have been seriously injured or wronged by others. Fob believes that the jury is the great equalizer to the power and influence that large corporations have in society. Many of Fob’s cases are high profile and have been featured in, among others: Bloomberg News, PlanAdvisor, AL.com, PlanSponsor, InsuranceJournal, and BusinessInsider. For his work in obtaining numerous multi-million dollar outcomes for his clients, Fob has been recognized by: National Trial Lawyers Top 100, SuperLawyers Rising Star (2020-2025), Birmingham Business Journal Who’s Who in Law (2023-2025), and TrustAnalytica – Top Personal Injury Lawyers in Alabama.