2 killed in Wednesday wreck

Two people were killed as a result of a fiery one-car crash at 1:50 a.m. Wednesday on Old Alabama 20 near Bibb Garrett Road, according to Limestone County Coroner Mike West.

Emergency personnel from Decatur Fire and Rescue, Decatur EMS, and Decatur Police Department were dispatched to the scene, according to a Decatur Police spokesman Chris Mathews.

The owner of the 2000 Chevrolet, who is not confirmed as the driver, was ejected from the car and flown from the scene by MedFlight helicopter to Huntsville Hospital, West said.

Ace Jeffery Hitt, 21, of Decatur died a short time later from his injuries, according to police.

A body found inside the car was so badly burned that West could not determine if it was a male or female.

“It will have to be identified by dental records,” he said. The body was taken to the forensic lab in Huntsville.

Decatur police investigators, who have jurisdiction because that area of Limestone County is in Decatur city limits, will first determine who was likely in the car at the time of the wreck and then locate dental records for comparison, West said.

“If they can’t find dental records, they’ll have to use DNA” for identification, West said. Typically, dental records are available, he said. DNA identification takes about three to four weeks.

West said evidence at the scene indicated the driver lost control of the car.

“Apparently, the car was headed west on Old Alabama 20 when the driver apparently lost control and went off the road, then overcorrected. “

The skid marks were about 240 yards from the initial loss of control to impact, he said.

West said the car knocked over a recently placed speed limit sign before hitting a utility pole.

“When it hit the telephone pole, the car flipped around and burst into flames,” West said.

It is unknown at this time if alcohol was a factor in the crash, according to Mathews.

The crash investigation is ongoing, he said.