From Tribune staff reports
JEFFERSON COUNTY — Three people were found dead in a vehicle found upside down in Turkey Creek. The vehicle was first noticed by a property owner, according to Lt. Joni Money of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
On Monday, Jefferson County Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates identified the victims as 35-year-old Haley Majhae Lalley of Boaz, 36-year-old Michael Adrian Russell of Warrior and 46-year-old Cory Shane Roper of Hayden.
Around 11:45 a.m. Saturday, deputies were dispatched to the 7700 block of Bradford Road in northeast Jefferson County in reference to a vehicle located upside down in Turkey Creek.
It was unknown how long the vehicle had been in the creek.
“When deputies arrived, they discovered a white older model Chevy Cavalier on its roof in the water,” Money said. “It appeared that the vehicle had struck the bridge and rolled down the hill into the creek.”
Money said the vehicle was discovered this morning when a citizen was out riding his property and saw the vehicle. He then called 911.
“Once the vehicle was removed from the water, it was discovered that there were three occupants in the vehicle,” Money said. “All three, a female driver and two male passengers, were deceased. It is unknown when the accident actually occurred.”
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team is conducting the investigation into the fatal crash.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office has retrieved the bodies and will be working to make a positive identification of the victims and locate the next of kin.