Fayette County, Alabama – On the late afternoon of Wednesday, January 21, 2026, a well‑known local farmer, 71‑year‑old Sammy E. Hindman, died in a heartbreaking accident involving his tractor just outside his hometown. The crash occurred shortly after 5 p.m. on Turner Road near Mt. Lebanon Road, about seven miles northwest of Fayette, according to troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
Friends and neighbors say Hindman was doing what he had done his whole life: working the land he loved. He was driving his 1965 John Deere 2510 tractor carrying a bale of hay when the load shifted. The bale fell off the front forks, the tractor struck it and overturned, fatally injuring him. First responders pronounced Hindman dead at the scene.
There were no other vehicles involved in the crash, and authorities say no one else was hurt. State Troopers and ALEA Highway Patrol officers have been on site investigating, looking at how the hay was loaded, the condition of the rural road and the mechanics of the tractor. Officials stressed the investigation is still ongoing.
For folks in Fayette County, Hindman’s death is more than a traffic report. He was known across the area not just as a farmer but as a community leader devoted to agriculture. Local obituary listings show he spent decades tied to the land and to people who work it, and that his loss is deeply felt by family, friends and neighbors alike.
In small farming towns like this one, tractors and baled hay aren’t just work tools — they’re part of daily life. But this accident serves as a sober reminder of the risks that come with heavy equipment and unstable loads. Authorities and community members alike are reminding other farmers and residents to secure their cargo and stay alert when handling bulky materials.
Those who knew Hindman describe him as steady and generous, someone always ready to lend a hand or share a story. In the wake of his passing, friends have gathered to support his family, share memories and honor a life marked by hard work and quiet leadership.
Officials are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or who may have additional information to contact the ALEA Highway Patrol Division to help complete the picture of what happened that afternoon on Turner Road.
