65-Year-Old Passenger Killed in Baldwin County Crash; Driver Survives
BALDWIN COUNTY, AL — A tragic single-vehicle crash on Interstate 65 claimed the life of 65-year-old Thomas Oliver Swindle Jr. of Chickasaw on Thursday, September 4, 2025.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene near the 35-mile marker shortly after 4 p.m. and found Swindle trapped inside an overturned Jeep Cherokee. Despite immediate rescue efforts, he could not be saved and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver, identified as Leila M. Clevland of Selma, survived the crash. She was conscious when first responders arrived and was transported to University Hospital for treatment of her injuries.
Investigators with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) remained at the site for hours, collecting evidence, examining skid marks, and working to determine the circumstances that caused the vehicle to suddenly leave the roadway and collide with a tree. Possible factors under review include speed, mechanical failure, and driver distraction.
Swindle was remembered by those in the Chickasaw community as a warm, kindhearted man who had a way of bringing people together. Neighbors and friends described his presence as uplifting and said his sudden loss has left a deep void.
“This was a man who always found ways to make others feel welcome,” one community member shared. “He will be greatly missed.”
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging drivers to remain alert and cautious on Alabama’s highways, where even a momentary lapse can have devastating consequences.
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