2 inmates dead, 5 injured in crash involving ADOC van

The Alabama Department of Corrections says two inmates are dead and five others injured following a single-vehicle crash in Tallapoosa County.

ADOC officials tell Action 8 News that the crash, involving one of its work release vans, happened Wednesday on Elder Road in Dadeville.

ADOC says Alex City Community Based Facility Inmates Willie Crayton, Jake Jones, Bruce Clements, Thomas Bass, Heath Garrett, Shawn Wasden, and Richard Jackson were returning to the facility after work when the crash occurred.

Crayton was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

Scene of crash that killed two inmates and injured five others – Photo: Lizi Arbogast Gwin / The Alexander City Outlook, used with permission

Scene of crash that killed two inmates and injured five others - Photo: Lizi Arbogast Gwin / The Alexander City Outlook, used with permission

Jones and Clements were transported to an area hospital in critical condition. Clements later died from his injuries from the accident.

Jones was transported to another hospital for further treatment.

The other inmates were treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Commissioner John Hamm has extended his condolences to the family and friends of inmates Crayton and Clements.

ADOC says it will dispatch the Critical Incident Stress Management Team and YesCare mental health care professionals to Alex City CBF Thursday morning to offer support to affected staff and inmates.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is investigating the accident.