Axis, AL (WKRG)

Alabama State Troopers confirmed to News 5 that an arrest was made in a Saturday morning crash that injured a motorcyclist and dragged his chopper nearly two miles north of the impact site on Highway 43.  Officials say 34-year-old Charles Smith was arrested at his home Saturday and charged with leaving the scene of an accident with injuries.

“Troopers collected vehicle debris, witness statements, and with assistance from Creole PD looking through the nearby area, were able to locate the vehicle and interview the driver,” said ALEA Captain John Malone.  “Other charges may be pending as the investigation continues.”  Family members identified the victim of this crash as 44-year-old Ashley Sanderson from Saraland.  Sanderson’s wife Victoria said they were told the suspect tried to hide his car with a tarp.  Mrs. Sanderson said her husband continues to recuperate at USA Medical Center and is dealing with broken bones and road rash.  While he is in a lot of pain, she said her husband should eventually recover and is being kept in the hospital to avoid infection.

The victim was traveling a few minutes ahead of his wife and family heading to their hunting camp in Jackson.  Victoria Sanderson said she saw her husband’s shoes on the road and knew something was wrong.

“It just kept going through my head, God not now, please don’t take him from me now. At that point I didn’t know until I got to him whether he was alive or dead,” said Victoria Sanderson in a phone call from USA Medical Center.  Even though the bike was dragged for nearly two miles, the victim was conscious and alert at the scene.

“Some call it luck, I call it God’s Grace you know, I think it’s both, I think he’s very lucky and the Lord just reached down and wrapped him up,” said Victoria Sanderson.

We’ll have more on this story later today with the family of Ashley Sanderson on News 5 at 10.