(Calhoun County, Alabama — May 7, 2026) – A 29-year-old Anniston woman was tragically struck and killed by a commercial Freightliner tractor-trailer on U.S. Highway 431 in Calhoun County Wednesday night, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. McKala S. Brasher was in the roadway when she was hit and was pronounced dead at the scene. The tractor-trailer was identified as a 2023 Freightliner Cascadia and was driven by Drew N. McGee, 59, of Madison. ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.
Key Takeaways
- McKala S. Brasher, 29, of Anniston, was killed at approximately 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, when she was struck by a 2023 Freightliner Cascadia tractor-trailer on U.S. Highway 431 near the 234 mile marker, approximately one mile south of Anniston in Calhoun County.
- The tractor-trailer was operated by Drew N. McGee, 59, of Madison, Alabama.
- Brasher was in the roadway at the time of the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene.
- ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division is continuing to investigate. No further details have been released at this time.
- Official crash reports can be requested from ALEA once the investigation concludes.
- Fob James Law Firm offers free consultations to families affected by fatal truck accidents in Alabama, with no fees unless recovery occurs.
What Happened: Pedestrian Struck by Tractor-Trailer on US-431 Near Anniston
The crash occurred at approximately 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, on U.S. Highway 431 near the 234 mile marker — approximately one mile south of Anniston, in the area known as Saks in Calhoun County. According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, McKala S. Brasher, 29, of Anniston, was in the roadway at the time of the crash and was struck by a 2023 Freightliner Cascadia tractor-trailer.
The tractor-trailer was driven by Drew N. McGee, 59, of Madison, Alabama. Brasher sustained fatal injuries from the collision and was pronounced dead at the scene. ALEA troopers from the Highway Patrol Division responded and are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. No further information has been released.
Traffic and Community Impact
U.S. Highway 431 is a major north-south artery running through Calhoun County, connecting Anniston to communities to the north and south and carrying substantial commercial freight traffic, including large tractor-trailers, alongside local passenger vehicle traffic. The 234 mile marker near Saks falls along a segment of US-431 that is active with commercial truck traffic, particularly during evening and overnight hours when freight movement peaks.
The 10:00 p.m. timing of the crash means both the pedestrian and the tractor-trailer were operating in full darkness. Under those conditions, the ability of a commercial truck driver to detect and respond to a pedestrian in the roadway — and conversely, the ability of a pedestrian to safely navigate a major commercial highway at night — raises serious questions that ALEA’s investigation will need to address.
The loss of McKala Brasher at 29 years old is a devastating blow to her family and the Anniston community.
What Investigators Will Examine
ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division will conduct a thorough investigation. In a crash where a commercial tractor-trailer strikes a pedestrian on a major highway at night, investigators will typically focus on:
- Why Brasher was in the roadway — whether she had broken down, was crossing the highway, or was in the roadway for another reason is a critical factual question that the investigation will seek to answer
- McGee’s speed and lane positioning — whether the tractor-trailer was traveling at a speed appropriate for nighttime conditions on US-431
- Lighting and conspicuity — whether the Freightliner Cascadia had fully functioning headlights and whether the roadway itself was adequately lit at the point of impact
- Driver awareness — whether McGee had adequate time and distance to detect Brasher in the roadway and take evasive action
- Hours-of-service compliance — a 10:00 p.m. crash involving a commercial driver raises questions about whether McGee had been driving for extended hours, and whether his logbook records are consistent with federal hours-of-service regulations
- Event data recorder (black box) data from the 2023 Freightliner Cascadia, which will capture speed, braking inputs, and other critical operational data in the moments before impact
- McGee’s commercial license and driving history — prior violations or incidents are relevant to assessing the trucking company’s potential liability
- Vehicle maintenance records — brake condition, lighting systems, and overall mechanical fitness of the 2023 Freightliner
An official crash report from ALEA will document the investigation’s findings and is essential for any insurance claims or legal proceedings.
How to Contact ALEA for Official Crash Reports
After the investigation concludes, you can request the official crash report from ALEA:
📍 Mail/In-Person: Alabama Law Enforcement Agency — Records / Crash Reports 301 S. Ripley Street, Montgomery, AL 36104
📞 Phone: (334) 517-2800
🌐 Online: Available via the Alabama Interactive portal once finalized.
Crash reports typically take 7–10 business days to become available.
Legal Considerations After a Fatal Pedestrian-Tractor-Trailer Crash in Alabama
When a commercial tractor-trailer strikes and kills a pedestrian on an Alabama highway, the legal analysis involves multiple overlapping areas of law, including: truck accident liability, pedestrian accident law, and Alabama’s wrongful death statute. The identification of both the driver, Drew N. McGee, 59, of Madison, and the commercial vehicle (a 2023 Freightliner Cascadia), gives the family’s legal team important starting points for immediate investigation.
Potential Liable Parties
- Drew N. McGee — as the operator of the tractor-trailer, McGee’s conduct, speed, awareness, and compliance with applicable regulations at the time of the crash will be central to any negligence analysis
- McGee’s employer or carrier — the company or carrier that owns or operates the 2023 Freightliner Cascadia may bear independent liability for negligent hiring, inadequate training, failure to maintain the vehicle, or pressuring drivers to operate in violation of hours-of-service rules. The identity of the carrier should be investigated immediately
- A vehicle maintenance contractor — if any mechanical deficiency in the tractor-trailer’s lighting, braking, or conspicuity equipment contributed to the crash, additional parties may be responsible
Alabama’s Contributory Negligence Rule
Alabama follows strict contributory negligence meaning that if Brasher is found to have contributed in any way to the crash, that finding could be used by the defense to attempt to bar recovery. This makes thorough early investigation absolutely essential. The circumstances that placed Brasher in the roadway, the lighting conditions at the scene, the speed of the tractor-trailer, and the driver’s response time are all facts that must be independently investigated and documented before evidence is lost.
Evidence That Must Be Preserved Immediately
In commercial vehicle crashes, trucking companies and their insurers frequently deploy rapid-response investigators within hours of a fatal crash. The family of McKala Brasher deserves equal urgency on their side. Critical evidence includes:
- The 2023 Freightliner Cascadia’s event data recorder (black box) and ELD data
- McGee’s hours-of-service logs and driver qualification file
- The trucking company’s maintenance and inspection records for the Freightliner
- Any dashcam footage from the tractor-trailer’s in-cab or forward-facing cameras
- McGee’s cell phone records for distracted driving analysis
- ALDOT traffic camera footage from the US-431 corridor near mile marker 234
Wrongful Death Under Alabama Law
Under Alabama’s wrongful death statute, the personal representative of Brasher’s estate may bring a wrongful death action against any party whose negligence caused her death. Alabama’s wrongful death damages are punitive in nature, and the two-year statute of limitations begins running from the date of death — making early legal consultation essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was McKala Brasher? McKala S. Brasher was a 29-year-old resident of Anniston, Alabama, who was killed on May 6, 2026, when she was struck by a tractor-trailer on U.S. Highway 431 in Calhoun County.
Who was driving the tractor-trailer that struck McKala Brasher? According to ALEA, the 2023 Freightliner Cascadia tractor-trailer was operated by Drew N. McGee, 59, of Madison, Alabama.
Can McKala Brasher’s family file a wrongful death lawsuit? Yes. If the crash resulted from the negligence of McGee or his employer, the personal representative of Brasher’s estate may have the right to bring a wrongful death claim under Alabama law. An experienced truck accident attorney can evaluate all available claims and begin evidence preservation immediately.
Does the fact that McKala Brasher was in the roadway affect the family’s legal rights? Not necessarily. Alabama’s contributory negligence rule means that evidence about Brasher’s conduct in the roadway will be examined, but it does not automatically bar the family’s claims. The driver’s speed, awareness, lighting conditions, and other factors are all part of the full legal picture. Families should consult with an attorney before accepting any insurance company characterization of the crash.
How do I get the ALEA crash report for the US-431 Calhoun County crash? You can request the official crash report from ALEA at (334) 517-2800 or via the Alabama Interactive portal once the investigation is complete. See our Alabama crash report guide for step-by-step instructions.
Fob James Law Firm — Fighting for Alabama Families After Fatal Truck Crashes
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 state and federal highways. We serve clients throughout Birmingham and statewide, including Calhoun County and the Anniston area. We offer:
✅ Free, no-obligation case reviews ✅ Immediate evidence preservation — black box data, ELD records, driver qualification files ✅ Full truck carrier liability investigation ✅ Representation on a contingency-fee basis — no fees unless you recover
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.