Birmingham, AL — What began as a father rushing to help his 22-year-old son with car trouble on Interstate 65 ended in tragedy Sunday night when both men were fatally struck by vehicles, according to authorities.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office identified the victims as Cornelius Leray Dixon, 56, and Jamari Tre’vionne Dixon, 22, both of Birmingham.
The deadly incident happened late Sunday, Sept. 13, on I-65 North between Finley Boulevard and 32nd Avenue N, according to the coroner’s office. Authorities said the two men were struck by motor vehicles approximately one minute apart.
Both were pronounced dead at the scene. The Birmingham Police Department is investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Son’s car suffered an axle failure
The tragedy began when Jamari was driving home on I-65 and experienced a serious problem with his vehicle.
In an interview, Samuel Dixon said his brother was driving when the axle broke on the back end of the car. A tire then came loose, traveled across the highway and struck the median.
Jamari called his mother to tell her what had happened. His mother then informed Cornelius, who decided to go to the interstate to check on his son.
According to Samuel, Cornelius arrived and saw the wheel lying in the roadway.
Concerned that the debris could create another danger for passing motorists, Cornelius reportedly stepped into the highway to remove it. What happened next unfolded in a matter of minutes.
Dad was struck while trying to clear the road
The family later received another call from Jamari. During the call, Jamari told his mother that his father had been struck by a vehicle. Then, suddenly, the call ended.
Samuel and other family members rushed toward the scene.
When they arrived, Samuel said he initially believed he could see his brother lying off to the side of the highway. He soon realized the situation was even more devastating.
“I get up there and think I see my brother off to the side of the road, but it’s actually one of the 18-wheelers that came through and hit my brother,” Samuel told.
He said another 18-wheeler subsequently came through and struck his brother and father again. Samuel recalled seeing one of the trucks approximately 100 feet from where Jamari’s body was located.
Family says son tried to help his father
The family described both men as people who were thinking about others during the final moments of their lives. Devonte Dixon told that Jamari stepped in to help his father after seeing what had happened.
“I know just my dad thinking of other drivers, just having that much debris in the road and what kind of damage it would have caused,” Devonte said.
He explained that Cornelius had been attempting to get back toward safety after moving into the roadway.
“He was about two lanes out and almost made it back before the first car clipped him, and then the 18-wheeler came through and ended them both,” Devonte told the outlet.
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The family said Cornelius had gone onto the highway because he was concerned about what the debris could do to another driver.
Investigation continues
The deaths have left the Dixon family mourning a father and son whose ordinary Sunday night quickly turned into a devastating loss.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office said the drivers of the vehicles that struck the men remained at the scene and reported the incidents.
The Birmingham Police Department is investigating what led to the fatal crashes and the circumstances surrounding the sequence of impacts.
What are your thoughts on this heartbreaking highway tragedy? Share your condolences and thoughts in the comments.
