A father and son from Alabama are being remembered this week after a breakdown on I-65 North near Birmingham turned deadly Sunday night. Twenty-two-year-old Jamari Dixon’s car broke an axle, leaving him stranded on the interstate. His father, 56-year-old Cornelius Dixon, drove out to help. While trying to remove a detached tire from the roadway so other drivers wouldn’t hit it, Cornelius was struck by a passing vehicle. Both men were then hit by two 18-wheelers and died at the scene. The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office identified the victims, and Birmingham police continue to investigate.
Family members say Cornelius was doing what came naturally to him, putting other people’s safety first. It’s the same instinct that sends plenty of Suncoast drivers onto a shoulder on I-75, I-275, or US-41 when someone they love calls for help. That instinct is generous. It’s also risky. Interstate shoulders are among the most dangerous places for pedestrians, and 18-wheelers need far more distance to stop than most drivers realize.
A few habits make a real difference. If your vehicle breaks down, pull as far onto the shoulder as possible, turn on hazard lights, and exit on the side away from traffic. Stand behind a guardrail or barrier when you can. If you go to help someone else, park well off the roadway, stay out of the travel lanes, and call professional roadside assistance rather than trying to clear debris yourself. The few minutes you wait are worth it.
Have you ever had a breakdown on a busy Suncoast highway? What did you do to stay out of harm’s way?
