Coaling Man Charged For 2021 Crash That Killed Tuscaloosa Woman

TUSCALOOSA, AL — A Coaling man has been charged with manslaughter and other felony offenses following a 2021 crash that killed a Tuscaloosa woman.

Click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.

According to Tuscaloosa County Jail records, James Randall Murray, 41, was indicted by a grand jury earlier this month and jailed on Sunday. He is charged with one count of manslaughter, one count of leaving the scene of an accident with injuries, first-degree possession of marijuana and second-degree receiving stolen property.

His total bond is set at $30,000.

The crash occurred on April 2, 2021, around 3 a.m. when a passerby reported an accident at U.S. Highway 11 and Wildwood Trace.

Tuscaloosa Police officers arrived at the scene to find a Toyota Camry and Chevrolet Silverado on the side of the road.

Murray was later found walking near the intersection of Highway 11 and Ridge Haven Drive, with police reporting that he was intoxicated. He was then transported to DCH Regional Medical Center to be treated for his injuries.

The victim of the fatal crash was later identified as U.S. Air Force veteran Lavonta Antronette Caldwell, 44, of Tuscaloosa. At the time of the fatal crash, she was reportedly employed at Mercedes Benz U.S. International in Vance.

TPD says Caldwell was driving the Camry involved in a crash with the Chevrolet Silverado allegedly driven by Murray that was later found overturned at the crash site — roughly 20 feet down a ravine off the roadway. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com