3 Teens And Deputy Killed In Head-On Collision

As we head into the holiday season, starting with Thanksgiving in just a few days, the families of three teenage boys and a deputy in Alabama are heartbroken. The 2003 Infiniti G35 full of four teenage boys collided head-on with the Dodge Charger patrol car driven by Deputy James Bart Hart, 50, as reported by NBC News.

Sheriff Bill Franklin states the accident happened on a rural two-lane road in Elmore County, about 15 miles north of Montgomery, around 7:45 pm on Sunday. Although the cause of the accident is still unknown at this time, Alabama State Troopers and the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office report to WSFA they will continue to investigate.

Deputy Hart was on duty at the time, and had just left the scene of another accident which involved a deer.

Austin Ray Augustine, 16, of Wetumpka, was driving the car carrying the teenagers. He was killed along with two of his friends, Dylan Adler Bieber and Hoyt Elliot Hardin, both 16-years-old, also from Wetumpka.

Nicholas Benjamin, 16, was the third passenger in Augustine’s car and is the only survivor of the crash. Benjamin, who is from Eclectic, was flown by medical helicopter to Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery with what troopers say are life-threatening injuries according to Police One.

It has been determined that Nicholas Benjamin and Deputy Hart were the only two involved in the accident who were wearing seatbelts.

Deputy Hart’s funeral will be on Wednesday, November 25. According to WSFA, Hart began his career as a Montgomery firefighter in 1986. Hart retired as a lieutenant in May, 2010 and at a later time became employed by the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office.

Since Deputy Hart’s death was a result from an accident, his wife, Charlotte Lanier Hart and daughter Christina Nicole will receive benefits from the Public Safety Insurance Fund.

No funeral plans have been yet released regarding the three teen boys.

However, Elmore County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Jeff Lanham, says students of Wetumpka High School and their families will have “local ministers, school counselors, teachers, and other school and community personnel on hand to help with the grieving process,” as reported by WSFA.

“There are no words to describe this devastating loss here in our community. Our prayers and support are with the families and friends of all the victims of this unimaginable tragedy.”

Photo Credit: WSFA.com, NBCNews.com