Etowah County, Ala. — A man has been charged following a fatal car accident that took place in May, claiming the life of his sister. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency reported that Lisa O. Fitts, 40, of Boaz, died when the vehicle she was in veered off Whitesboro Road and collided with a culvert before overturning and striking a nearby house.
Initial investigations revealed that the crash occurred on May 21. Fitts was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver of the vehicle, 36-year-old Kevin A. Owens, also from Boaz, was airlifted to Huntsville Hospital for medical treatment. Authorities indicated that neither occupant was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the incident.
Owens is now facing charges of reckless murder in connection with his sister’s death, with court records indicating that he was driving under the influence of alcohol during the crash. Sardis Police Chief Keith Beaird confirmed the familial relationship, noting that the driver was indeed Fitts’s brother.
After being booked into the Etowah County Jail following the incident, Owens has since posted bond and is awaiting further legal proceedings. This tragic event highlights the serious consequences of impaired driving and has drawn attention to road safety issues in the community.
As the investigation progresses, local authorities are continuing to emphasize the importance of wearing seatbelts and the dangers of driving while intoxicated. Community members are left to mourn the loss of Fitts, whose untimely death serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with reckless behavior on the road.