Eufaula man and horse killed in tractor trailer accident

A Eufaula man riding a horse died Sunday night after a tractor trailer struck it on U.S. 431.

According to an Alabama State Highway Patrol report Albert Lewis III, 36, was taken to Medical Center Barbour and died from the injuries he suffered during the collision.

Robert Batterson, 63, of Iowa, who was the driver of the truck, was not injured.

The accident happened around 7:45 p.m. about two miles north of Eufaula and less than a mile from the intersection of Alabama Highway 165 and U.S. 431. Barbour County Coroner Chip Chapman said he pronounced Lewis dead about 30 minutes after the accident.

Alabama Highway Patrol Capt. Ricky Peak said a preliminary investigation showed Lewis was struck by the truck as he attempted to cross the highway on his horse. Peak said there was also at least one other person riding a horse with Lewis when the accident happened.

Peak also suggested people wear reflective clothing if they’re traveling on a horse, or even a bicycle or on foot in the dark.

“I can’t personally remember working one where there’s been fatality on a horse,” Peak said. “It’s a real unusual tragic accident.” 

He said it’s more common for a motorists to be killed after their vehicle strikes a horse with no rider. The horse also died in the accident.