Cullman County, AL — April 28, 2025, William Lavon Harper was killed as the result of a CARTS bus accident at around 10:00 a.m. along U.S. 31.
According to preliminary information about the accident, it took place at the intersection of U.S. Highway 31 and 24th Street SW.
Right now, exact circumstances about the crash are unavailable. Authorities say that 73-year-old William Lavon Harper was in a vehicle that crossed paths with a Cullman Area Rural Transportation System bus. Somehow, the vehicles collided.
William Harper was killed as a result of the crash. There were no other reported injuries in the initial reports. At this time, investigations are ongoing.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
After any serious accident, it’s common for people to have the same concern: how can they be sure investigators are getting the whole story? At the end of the day, the victims isn’t around to offer their side of the story. That means it’s crucial to ensure investigations are thorough and leave no potential factor unexamined. A few key questions early on can help determine if those steps are being taken.
One of the first questions to consider is whether investigators had the necessary time, training, and equipment to fully document the crash scene. Accidents involving commercial vehicles, like a bus, require detailed work—vehicle positions, impact angles, road conditions, and witness statements all need to be captured carefully. If those steps are rushed or overlooked, it becomes much harder to piece together exactly what happened.
It’s also important to ask whether a vehicle defect or maintenance issue played a role. Buses and passenger vehicles alike can experience problems like brake failures, steering malfunctions, or worn-out safety systems. These aren’t always visible without a thorough inspection, and that inspection needs to happen quickly before evidence is lost or the vehicles are moved.
Finally, was all electronic data from the vehicles preserved? Many buses and cars now store crucial crash-related information, like speed, braking, and steering input just before a collision. When paired with potential dashcam footage or GPS records, this data can provide critical clarity—but only if it’s secured early.
In my experience, investigators that are answering these questions are likely being thorough in their efforts and will get the victims and families involved the answers they deserve. But when authorities aren’t able to come up with satisfactory responses, that can be a sign that the crash would be better off in the hands of independent investigators.
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