Corrected: Arrest Made in Weekend Traffic Accident

On March 11, 2023, at approximately 10:55 pm, the Dothan Police Department responded to a motor vehicle accident with critical injuries in the 2500 block of Ross Clark Circle. The accident was involving a 2018 Hyundai Sonata.  The driver, 30-year-old Derik Levi Blessing, and passenger, 42-year-old Audrey Kay Jenkins were both pronounced deceased at the scene.  Both victims resided in Dothan.

Also involved in the accident was a 2021 Dodge Charger driven by 42-year-old Leon Aubrey Jones Jr.  After an investigation by the Dothan Police Department Crash Team, It was determined that Mr. Jones was traveling at excessive speeds and under the influence of alcohol.  He was also determined to be the reason for the crash.  Due to these contributing factors Leon Aubrey Jones Jr. has been charged with two counts of manslaughter.  He has bonds totaling 60,000.00.

The Dothan Police Department would like to extend our thoughts and prayers to the Blessing and Jenkins families.

William E. Benny
Chief of Police

Correction: An earlier version of this post incorrectly indicated that Jones was charged with criminally negligent homicide.

Crash on East Burdeshaw

A Dothan Police Officer traveling on East Burdeshaw Street witnessed a vehicle coming towards him lose control and crash entrapping the driver and catching on fire. Within seconds two additional officers arrived to assist and were able to extinguish the fire. Dothan fire department responded and the patient was able to be taken to a local hospital for further treatment. The extent of the driver’s injuries are unknown but a preliminary investigation reveals the driver may have been under the influence at the time of the crash. Further charges may be pending following the investigation.

UPDATE: Traffic Fatality

On April 5th, 2019, the Dothan Police Department’s Crash Team responded to a traffic fatality at W. Main Street and North Woodburn Drive.  After the completion of the investigation, charges have been filed against white male Christopher Britt Hamm, 45 years of age, of Dothan.  Hamm has been charged with one count of Manslaughter ($60,000 bond), and one count of Assault 1st Degree ($60,000 bond).   Hamm was also charged with Driving Under the Influence at the scene of the crash.

Hamm has been processed and transferred to the Houston County Jail. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.

Traffic Fatality Press Release

On April 5, 2019, at approximately 11:20 P.M., the Dothan Police Department responded to the intersection of West Main Street at North Woodburn Drive after receiving information of a crash with injuries.

Investigators with the Dothan Police Department’s Traffic Division responded to the scene due to the severity of the crash. Through preliminary investigation, it has been determined a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado, traveling west on West Main Street, collided with a 2014 Ford F150 that was traveling on North Woodburn Drive.

The driver of the Ford, Richard Lane Williford, 57 yoa of Dothan, Alabama, succumbed to the injuries received during the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Houston County Coroner’s Office. The passenger of the Ford was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries.

The driver of the Chevrolet was arrested at the scene for driving under the influence and transported to the Dothan City Jail. More charges are pending following the completion of the investigation.

The Dothan Police Department would like to express our condolences to the Williford family in their time of loss.

Steven L. Parrish Chief of Police

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