Just after midnight on July 1, 2023, Pelham PD responded to a head-on collision involving an intoxicated driver who was driving the wrong way on Interstate 65 South, south of Exit 252 (Tank Farm). Pelham police personnel provided traffic control north of Exit 242 and had all southbound lanes of Interstate 65 shut down, with traffic diverted to the offramp and onto County Road 52.
Officer Elizabeth Minter, Officer Sam Knotts, and Officer Mike McGee were standing outside of marked Pelham Police vehicles with all emergency lighting activated. Each was wearing an approved reflective safety vest and was utilizing a flashlight to move traffic to the offramp.
Around 1:00 a.m. hours, a driver ignored the backed-up traffic being diverted and continued southbound, also ignoring the police vehicles parked sideways in the road. The driver struck Officer Minter at a high rate of speed. Officer Minter was struck so violently that she was removed from her boots. A boot, flashlight, duty magazines, radio, and other equipment were thrown across four lanes of traffic and two exit ramp lanes.
Officer Minter was quickly attended to by fellow Pelham Police Officers and Pelham Firemedics. Officer Minter was transported to UAB Hospital with numerous significant injuries.
The vehicle’s driver was taken into custody by Pelham Police and Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Both collisions are being investigated by ALEA.
"The Pelham Fire Department, Pelham Police/Fire Communications, Alabaster Police Department, Alabaster Fire Department, and Shelby County Sheriff’s Department provided tremendous support during this event and assisted with other calls in the City of Pelham, and we are thankful for their partnerships," said Pelham Police Chief Brent Sugg.
“Officer Minter remained conscious and alert after she was struck. She is surrounded by family, friends, and colleagues and is in good spirits," Sugg said. "She will undergo surgery in the days ahead and has a long road ahead of her, and we ask that the community lifts her up in prayer," he added.
"Our department is rallying around Officer Minter to make sure her three young children are attended to while she is recovering," Sugg explained.
Anyone who wishes to support Officer Minter can make a financial contribution to the Pelham Police Auxiliary. Checks should be made to the “Pelham Police Auxiliary” with "Officer Minter" in the 'for' line. Checks can be dropped off in person or mailed to the Pelham Police Department located at 32 Philip Davis Street, Pelham, Alabama, 35124. We cannot accept cash at the police department. One hundred percent of the donations to the Pelham Police Auxiliary will go to Officer Minter to help with medical and other expenses while she is out of work.
Her family has also established a GoFundMe if people would like to make an online contribution. All of this information is posted to our website, www.pelhampd.com.