Alabama authorities said on Tuesday that the father of a still missing 1-year-old boy was driving at excessive speeds before a deadly crash that killed him and his 2-year-old daughter.
WBRC reported that the wreck occurred on County Road 73 in Fayette County on December 8 — a day before Kahleb Collins was reported missing. An investigation determined Collins was not in the crash and vanished on September 4, leading to his grandfather’s arrest on December 11.
The missing boy’s father, Steven Collins, 40, was allegedly driving 92 miles per hour when he veered off the road and collided with a tree. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said Steven Collins and his fiance were not wearing seatbelts, and their daughter was not in a car seat.
READ: Tot Reported Missing After Crash Kills Dad & Sister — But He Actually Vanished Months Earlier
The agency noted that Steven Collins was ejected from the vehicle, while his fiance was partially ejected via the driver’s door. Steven Collins died a day later, while his fiance remains hospitalized in critical condition. Their daughter died at the scene.
The grandfather, John Bailey, 50, remains jailed for failing to report Kahleb Collins’ disappearance. The toddler’s whereabouts remain a mystery. However, authorities were seen conducting searches at the family’s Winfield home on Wednesday and Thursday.
WVUA reported that search dogs and investigators with shovels were spotted at the home. It remains unclear whether his disappearance is being treated as a death investigation or homicide.
[Feature Photo via Alabama Law Enforcement Agency]
