(Update) 2 dead following multivehicle crash; man charged with manslaughter

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Updated Nov. 21, 2024, at 11:07 a.m.

CULLMAN, Ala. – Two people are dead and another has been charged with reckless manslaughter following a multivehicle crash in north Cullman Wednesday night, Nov. 20.

Cullman County Coroner Jeremy Kilpatrick on Thursday morning identified the victims as Billy Herbert Wallace, 49, of Cullman, and Jennifer Dawn Sharp Hearld, 49, of Cullman.

Kilpatrick said Hearld died at the scene of the crash at the intersection of U.S. Highway 31 and Alabama Highway 157. He said Wallace died at a local hospital.

There were a total of four vehicles involved according to Kilpatrick.

According to Cullman Police Chief Joey Duncan, the crash happened at approximately 8:29 p.m.

“A 2019 Ford Escape, driven by Felix Thomas Conley, struck a 2004 Harley Davidson Electra Glide, driven by Billy Herbert Wallace, and struck two other vehicles before coming to final rest just before the intersection,” Duncan said.  “Mr. Wallace and the passenger on the motorcycle, Jennifer Dawn Sharp Hearld, were pronounced deceased by Coroner Jeremy Kilpatrick. Ms. Hearld was pronounced deceased at the scene. Mr. Wallace was pronounced deceased later after being taken to Cullman Regional Medical Center.”

Duncan said that, due to the severity of the crash, the Cullman Police Traffic Homicide Unit arrived on the scene and took over the investigation.

“Following the deaths of Mr. Wallace and Ms. Hearld, Mr. Conley was arrested and charged with two counts of reckless manslaughter,” he said. “He was then taken to the Cullman County Detention Center. The investigation remains ongoing by the Cullman Police Traffic Homicide Unit.”