Two Killed in Ashville accident

Police say A man who was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run accident early Wednesday morning was killed minutes later in a head-on collision that claimed the life of another person.

The suspect was identified as 59 year oldRoaul Rush Smith II,  of Ashville.

St. Clair County Coroner Dennis Russell said Smith died from injuries sustained in a head-on collision after he steered his Toyota pickup truck into the northbound lane of Alabama 23, colliding with a black Ford Mustang driven by 36 year old Melina Steele,  of Ashville, who was also killed in the collision.

Russell said both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.

Ashville Police Chief Dennis Matthews said the fatal car crash happened at approximately 7:48 a.m.

Matthews said the collision happened on Alabama 23, near the Bo Coffee Road intersection.

He said authorities were looking for Smith at the time of the crash.

Matthews said Smith was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run accident at about 7:30 a.m. Wednesday along Alabama 23, near Pinedale Road.

He said there were no injuries in the earlier hit-and-run accident.

Matthews said there was one patrol car in the vicinity when the accident occurred but police were not pursuing the suspect.

He said the Ashville Police Department is continuing their investigation into the deadly crash.