Multiple Women Killed in Separate Crashes

A woman died after her car struck a tree in the 1800 block of South Street in Utica early Saturday; firefighters extricated her, and police are investigating while withholding her identity pending family notification. In Vernon, Alabama, 26-year-old Ashley Welch died Thursday when her Jeep left Highway 17, rolled and struck a utility pole; authorities said she was not wearing a seat belt. A woman was also killed late Thursday in Dallas after her car left the roadway, crossed a service road and hit a parked SUV, causing a two-car rollover; investigators are working to determine why she lost control. In a separate Friday crash north of Troy, Alabama, 67-year-old passenger Vernell L. Faniel died in a head-on collision, while three others were injured and taken to medical centers.