WILCOX COUNTY — Alabama State Troopers continue to investigate the cause of a fatal accident in Wilcox County Friday evening.

According to a release from the State Troopers, a single-vehicle crash just before 10 p.m. Friday, claimed the life of Eight Mile resident Claude Gardner III.

Troopers said Gardner, 44, was killed when the 1996 Ford Ranger he was driving left the roadway and struck several trees. The accident happened on Alabama Highway 5, roughly 10 miles south of Alberta.

Although still under investigation, Troopers did report Gardner was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the accident.