By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
Updated 06/29/2026, 7:05 p.m.
Updated: Headland Man Arrested in Fatal Abbeville Hit and Run Investigation as Victim’s Daughter Speaks Out
By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
ABBEVILLE, Ala. — Authorities have arrested a Headland man in connection with a fatal hit-and-run that claimed the life of an Abbeville woman Friday night, as the victim’s daughter is speaking publicly for the first time about the devastating loss.
According to the Abbeville Police Department, 31-year-old Levi Conner Smith of Headland has been charged with one count of leaving the scene of an accident involving injury or death.
The investigation began after emergency responders were dispatched to the 100 block of Ozark Road, also known as Alabama Highway 27, where 46-year-old Brandy Duncan of Abbeville was found with injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators believe the collision occurred between approximately 8:20 p.m. and 8:40 p.m. Friday. Authorities allege the driver left the area before first responders arrived.
Police said investigators worked continuously following the incident to identify the person responsible. The investigation included interviewing multiple people of interest, following up on tips from the public, reviewing hours of surveillance footage, collecting physical evidence, and coordinating with several assisting law enforcement agencies.
According to investigators, evidence gathered during the investigation indicates Smith was present at the scene at the time of the fatal incident. He was taken into custody and charged following the investigation.
The case remains under active investigation. Authorities said investigators continue to interview witnesses, review additional evidence, and collect additional physical evidence. More information may be released as the investigation continues and after the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences completes the autopsy and forensic examination.
The Chronicle spoke with Abbeville Police Chief Marlos Walker, who emphasized the department’s gratitude for the assistance and cooperation from multiple agencies and individuals.
“This was a great collaboration of people working to help bring a resolution to this case,” Walker said, pointing out that the investigation was truly a group effort.
In the days following her mother’s death, Duncan’s only daughter, Olivia Zacherl, spoke with local news station WDHN about the harrowing experience, describing the overwhelming grief she experienced after learning of the tragedy through calls from people who knew her family.
“I didn’t believe it,” Zacherl said. “It crushed my soul, my whole chest fell to the ground. I had to wake my grandmother up and tell her, my mother’s mother, so it crushed me.”
Despite the arrest, Zacherl said she does not want anger or bitterness to define her family’s response.
“I pray for his family, I don’t want any more pain to come out of this,” Zacherl said. “My mom would not want me or anybody to be angry at anyone, and she would not want me to wish bad on other people, so that’s what I’m going to do and live like her.”
Zacherl described her mother as a compassionate person who welcomed others without judgment and often stepped into a motherly role for those who needed support. She also said Duncan enjoyed expressing her creativity through woodcarving.
“She was a good mother to anybody who needed it and never judged anybody,” she said.
Among the memories she treasures most are the simple moments they shared while driving, singing along to their favorite songs.
“If you want to do something to remember my mom, go get in the car with your mom, and listen to music and sing together, it was our favorite thing,” she said.
The family has established a fundraiser to assist with funeral expenses following Duncan’s unexpected death.
Zacherl also expressed appreciation to the Abbeville Police Department and the prosecutors handling the case, thanking them for their efforts to pursue justice on behalf of her mother and their family.
The Abbeville Police Department thanked the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Troopers, the Dothan Police Department, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Headland E-911 Dispatch, the Henry County Coroner’s Office, Abbeville EMS, and members of the public whose information helped advance the investigation.
Anyone with additional information related to the case is encouraged to contact the Abbeville Police Department at (334) 585-2221. Police emphasize that callers may choose to remain anonymous.
Original Report:
ABBEVILLE— Authorities have arrested a Headland man in connection with a fatal hit-and-run that claimed the life of an Abbeville woman Friday night.
According to the Abbeville Police Department, 31-year-old Levi Conner Smith of Headland has been charged with one count of leaving the scene of an accident involving injury or death.
The investigation began after emergency responders were dispatched to the 100 block of Ozark Road, also known as Alabama Highway 27, where 46-year-old Brandy Duncan of Abbeville was found with injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators believe the collision occurred between approximately 8:20 p.m. and 8:40 p.m. Friday. Authorities allege the driver left the area before first responders arrived.
Police said investigators worked continuously following the incident to identify the person responsible. The investigation included interviewing multiple people of interest, following up on tips provided by the public, reviewing hours of surveillance video, collecting physical evidence, and coordinating with several assisting law enforcement agencies.
According to investigators, evidence gathered during the investigation indicates Smith was present at the scene at the time of the fatal incident. He was taken into custody and charged following the investigation.
The case remains under active investigation. Authorities said investigators continue to interview witnesses, review additional evidence, and collect further physical evidence. Additional information may be released as the investigation progresses and after the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences completes the victim’s autopsy and related forensic examinations.
The Abbeville Police Department expressed its appreciation to the agencies that assisted in the investigation, including the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Troopers, the Dothan Police Department, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Headland E-911 Dispatch, the Henry County Coroner’s Office, and Abbeville EMS. The department also thanked members of the public and witnesses whose information contributed to the investigation.
The Chronicle spoke with Abbeville Police Chief Marlos Walker, who emphasized the department’s gratitude for the assistance and cooperation from multiple agencies and individuals.
“This was a great collaboration of people working to help bring a resolution to this case,” Walker said.
Anyone with additional information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Abbeville Police Department.
Woman Killed in Suspected Hit and Run in Abbeville as Authorities Search for Driver
By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
ABBEVILLE, Ala. — Authorities are investigating after a woman was killed in what officials believe was a hit-and-run crash Friday night in Abbeville.
According to the Henry County Coroner, the victim has been identified as 46-year-old Brandi Duncan of Abbeville.
Emergency responders were dispatched to the 100 block of Ozark Road, also known as Alabama Highway 27, after receiving a report of a person lying in the roadway. When first responders arrived, they found Duncan suffering from injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officials stated that the incident occurred between approximately 8:20 p.m. and 8:40 p.m. Investigators believe the driver involved left the scene before emergency personnel arrived.
The victim’s body has been transported to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for an autopsy as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.
Traffic homicide investigators closed the highway for several hours Friday night while evidence was collected.
No arrests had been announced as of Saturday, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Law enforcement is asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that could assist investigators to contact the Abbeville Police Department.
“It was a great collaboration of people to help bring a resolution to this case.”
