Altoona man, former Alabama football standout injured in weekend crash

Former University of Alabama and Litchfield High School football player Joe Ervin King is hospitalized in critical condition at UAB following a one-vehicle crash on Rocky Hollow Road.  The 47 year old King, of Altoona, was driving a 2002 Ford F-150 on Rocky Hollow Road at 2:10 a.m. Sunday morning when his truck left the road in a curve, according to the Alabama State Troopers report. The truck hit a tree on the west side of the road then crossed and hit a concrete culvert before coming back across the road and coming to rest against other trees.  According to the troopers' report, King is believed to have been under the influence of alcohol and was speeding at the time the crash occurred.  King, an offensive lineman, signed with Alabama in 1985. He lettered as a freshman that year and was a starter for the Crimson Tide in its 1986 season opener against Ohio State in the Kickoff Classic in East Rutherford, N.J.  However, his years as a player were marked with repeated suspensions for drinking and fighting. He was twice sent home from bowl games and was dismissed from the team in 1988.