BY PENNY CARTER
A vehicular accident that occurred on Saturday, August 13, had the driver of the truck involved trying to make an escape by swimming across White Oak Creek not far from the bridge on Highway 95.
Around 4:50 p.m. Saturday, an unsuspecting female driver was hit as she passed Midlake Bait and Tackle and Holly Drive on Highway 95 just inside the Henry County line across the creek from Barbour County.
Mrs. Helen Copeland, the driver of the Toyota Camry that was involved, was transported by Abbeville Rescue to Medical Center Barbour in Eufaula for treatment of injuries sustained during the accident.
It was believed at the time that alcohol may have played a role in the accident and the attempted escape of the driver.
As soon as the vehicles came to a stop from the collision, the driver of the truck, Marion Porterfield Jr., jumped out and ran down Holly Drive, trying to escape from witnesses that engaged in a foot pursuit of the suspect. They were soon joined by Henry County Sheriff's Deputies on a Yamaha Rhino in the hunt for the driver of the truck. Porterfield jumped into White Oak Creek in an attempt to evade capture, but was soon picked up by Alabama Marine Police that responded to the scene to lend assistance. The suspect was transported to Medical Center Barbour for treatment.
Henry County Sheriff Deputy Culpepper confirmed that the suspect had been caught by the Marine Police within minutes of entering the water.
Henry County EMA Director Paul Brown was on site along with Henry County Sheriff's Deputies, Screamer Volunteer Fire Department, Abbeville Rescue, and Alabama State Troopers.
Residents of the area, Howard and Juanita Money, both agreed that the section of the road from White Oak bridge to the entrance of Sunset Acres, located on Highway 95, is a very dangerous area.
“This isn't the first accident that's happened on this curve,” Mr. Money commented. “Cars go flying through here going well above the speed limit, crossing the center line at times.
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