TRUSSVILLE, Ala. — Late on a Monday night, Saleh Ali Mohamed Muflehi, 27, of Gadsden, lost his life in a violent collision on Interstate 59 near Chalkville Road. Around 10:05 p.m., Muflehi was driving his Kia Soul northbound when it slammed into the rear of a heavy tractor‑trailer. The impact was severe. Emergency crews found him inside the compact car and rushed him to UAB Hospital in Birmingham. He died at 4:02 a.m. the next morning.
Troopers from the Alabama State Troopers were called to the scene within minutes. The road was busy with evening traffic, and the crash forced slowdowns and blocked lanes until the wreckage could be cleared. Officials say Muflehi was the only person in his vehicle; the driver of the tractor‑trailer was uninjured. Despite the rapid response, the injuries he suffered were life‑threatening from the moment help arrived.
Friends and family have described Saleh as quiet and kind, someone who looked forward to the future. They said he often took the I‑59 route for work and family visits, making the sudden turn of fate hard to grasp. Loved ones are left with the shock of a young life cut short and the unanswered questions about how the crash unfolded so fast on a usually calm section of highway.
Investigators said the tractor‑trailer, a 2021 Peterbilt, was driven by a 62‑year‑old Cullman resident, who was heading north when the smaller vehicle ran into it from behind. At this time, authorities have not released information about what caused Muflehi to hit the truck — whether speed, visibility, distracted driving, or something else played a role. The Alabama State Troopers’ investigation remains active.
Local drivers who travel that stretch of I‑59 often cite heavy traffic and inconsistent lighting as concerns, especially at night. The crash highlights the risks of highway driving after dark, when reaction times matter most and hazards can appear without warning. Police reminded motorists to maintain safe following distances and stay alert at all times.
The community held a vigil near the crash site days after the wreck, with friends and family placing flowers and candles. They recounted memories of Saleh’s laughter, his generosity, and his plans that now remain unfinished. People who knew him said the pain isn’t just about losing a life, but losing the things he would have done and the smiles he would have shared.
Investigators hope more details will emerge as they review the vehicle data and witness accounts. In the meantime, Saleh’s death serves as a reminder of how fragile life can be on the open road and how quickly a routine drive can turn tragic.
