Troopers not releasing final forensic report from wreck

Published 1:01 am Friday, July 8, 2016

Fifty-six days after a wreck that killed an Andalusia High School freshman, State Troopers say they are not releasing the final crash report to the media, citing department policy.

Alabama State Trooper Spokesperson Kevin Cook said Thursday afternoon the only report “we can and will provide is the initial crash report. The traffic homicide investigation will be turned over to the Covington County District Attorney’s Office for grand jury presentation. This has always been our department policy in regards to traffic homicide cases.”

The May 13 wreck eventually claimed the life of 15-year-old Lorne Wayne Macer on May 14.

According to the initial crash report, Macer was driving a 1994 Harley Davidson motorcycle which was struck from behind by a 2008 Ford Expedition driven by James H. Williamson, 54.

The initial crash report indicated that Troopers believed alcohol was a factor in the wreck.

Cook told the Star-News on May 20, that a blood test was collected, but the results of the toxicology reports had not been received from the state lab.

On May 23, attorneys for Williamson issued a statement which said their client cooperated with Troopers and that he voluntarily submitted a blood test.

“Our client, Mr. Williamson, was not arrested or detained, because there was no evidence of a crime,” the release stated.

No charges have been filed against Williamson, and a Covington County grand jury will have to hear the evidence, Cook said.

The law does prohibit anyone from disclosing whether someone has been indicted by a grand jury until he or she has been arrested on the indictment. Grand jury proceedings are secret and not open to the public.