On the evening of October 6, 2023, a tragedy unfolded on the Bessemer Super Highway near Sugar Ray Drive in the Midfield area of Alabama, leading to the death of 50-year-old Prentice Lamone Bibbs. A Black male from Pleasant Grove, Bibbs was struck by a vehicle in a devastating hit-and-run incident that occurred just before 8:30 p.m. The initial impact was just the beginning of the horrific event, as the vehicle that first struck him fled the scene, leaving him vulnerable on the busy highway
where he was subsequently hit by other vehicles.
Emergency services arrived at the scene to find a grim situation, and Prentice Bibbs was pronounced dead at the location of the accident. The abrupt and violent nature of his passing sent shockwaves through the community, leaving family and friends to grapple with the sudden loss of a man remembered for his infectious smile and love of music. His death prompted an immediate investigation by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team, who began the arduous task of piecing together the events of that fatal night.
The focus of the ongoing investigation is to identify and locate the driver of the vehicle that initiated the tragic chain of events by striking Bibbs and then callously leaving the scene. As of now, authorities have not publicly identified any suspects or made any arrests in connection with the fatal hit-and-run. The case remains an open investigation as law enforcement continues to seek information from the public that could lead to the apprehension of the individual responsible for the death of Prentice Bibbs. The community mourned his loss, with funeral services held on October 20, 2023, at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Bessemer, followed by his burial at Oakland Memorial Gardens.
