Details released in crash that killed Irondale police officer directing traffic at church

3 days ago 3

The driver who struck an Irondale police lieutenant earlier this month was adjusting his truck’s heat when the deadly collision happened, according to a newly released crash report.

Irondale police Lt. Mark Meadows, a 60-year-old husband, father and grandfather, was killed Jan. 6 while preparing to direct traffic for Church of the Highlands.

Meadows was killed that Monday morning when he was putting out traffic cones as the church’s 21 Days of Prayer service was about to let out.

It was just before 7 a.m. when Meadows was hit at the intersection of Grants Mill Road and Overton Road. He was pronounced dead at Grandview Medical Center at 7:39 a.m.

Alabama State Troopers said the Chevrolet Colorado that struck Meadows was driven by 32-year-old Leeds man who stopped at the scene.

No charges have been filed or citations issued.

The driver was traveling westbound, following another vehicle. As the driver approached the intersection, Grants Mill transitioned into a four-lane road, allowing for legal passing, according to the ALEA report.

The driver attempted to pass the vehicle it had been following and that is when Meadows was hit.

“There were no warning signs or other measures in place to alert drivers of potential hazards or ongoing work in the roadway ahead,’’ the trooper wrote in the report.

There were no blue lights activated on Meadows police vehicle, which was parked on the left shoulder.

“The driver was distracted inside his vehicle and didn’t see (the officer” until the last minute,’’ the report stated.

The driver told investigators “My feet were hot, and I looked down for a second to adjust the heat. I saw cones at the last minute, and the next thing I know, I hit something.”

A witness told troopers the pickup truck was “on my bumper” while traveling on Grants Mill Road.

“I assumed he was in a rush to go somewhere and when the roadway became two lanes, I got over to the left,’’ the witness said. “The truck then drove around me and struck the officer while he was putting cones out.”

“I stopped, along with the lad behind me to give aid to the officer,’’ the witness said. “But it was too late. I saw the entire accident.”

The report said the pickup was traveling 47 mph in an area zoned for 40 mph.

Meadows was remembered as a “silent warrior,” a man of few words who made a big impact on those who knew and loved him.

“We know that because Mark was a believer, he’s in a better place today than we are standing right here,’’ Mayor James Stewart said. “We’re just so grateful that he died instantaneously. We don’t believe that he suffered, that he was in any pain.”

“God took him up to His mansion where there are many rooms,’’ Stewart said, “and we hope that he is in one of the biggest rooms today watching down to see us celebrating his life.”

Meadows served four years in the U.S Army 3rd Ranger Battalion, 10th Mountain Division at Ft. Benning in Georgia.

Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, he began his law enforcement career with the Mountain Brook Police Department in 1992, before transferring to the Irondale Police Department.

He became an FBI instructor certified in pistol and rifle in 2001. He then became an NRA Instructor certified in pistol in 2017.

Meadows worked at Church of Highlands since the Grants Mill facility opened 18 years ago.

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