Man dies after jumping from truck driven by brother

By: Debbie Ingram | Dothan Eagle
Published: October 18, 2009

A Georgia man died early Sunday morning after he jumped from a pickup truck being driven by his brother.

Terry Dewayne Kirkland, 28, of Marietta, was non-responsive when Dothan police and firefighters arrived in the 600 block of Hodgesville Road shortly after 2:25 a.m. Kirkland was a passenger in a Ford F150 truck driven by Josh Kirkland, also of Marietta.

According to Houston County Coroner Robert Byrd, the two were heading south when Kirkland told his brother to take him home or he was going to jump out of the vehicle, which was traveling approximately 35 miles per hour. Josh Kirkland told Byrd his brother then opened the door and jumped out.

Josh Kirkland told authorities he then stopped the truck and began administrating CPR on his brother until paramedics arrived.

Terry Kirkland was transported to Southeast Alabama Medical Center by ambulance where was pronounced dead at 3:06 a.m. from multiple blunt force injuries, Byrd said.

“He was not struck by the vehicle, but he died from injuries in the fall. He was unresponsive at the scene,” Byrd said.

While no charges have been filed, Byrd said alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the incident.

“We do believe that alcohol did play a part in this event and it is being investigated by the Dothan Police Department and the Houston County Coroners office,” he said.

The two were in Dothan for the weekend visiting relatives.