An early morning vehicle fire has claimed the life of a Rutledge man and left one Luverne woman with severe injuries.

The Luverne Police Department responded to a call about the vehicle fire around 2:32 a.m. on June 10. Upon arrival, first responders discovered a 2008 Lexus RX350 upside down and on fire. One victim, Sharon Robinson of Luverne, 39, severely injured and the other, James Ball of Rutledge, 36, deceased.

“[The vehicle] was traveling toward Luverne on Mount Ida Road,” said Captain Mason Adcock. “The vehicle ran off the road on the left side and struck a driveway culvert causing it to overturn and catch fire.”

Robinson was found outside the vehicle, where she had managed to escape the burning vehicle. Ball had already succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash and subsequent fire when first responders arrived.

The Luverne Fire Department extinguished the fire and assisted in traffic control while investigators worked the scene.

“Robinson was transported from the scene to Crenshaw Community Hospital, then airlifted to the UAB Hospital in Birmingham,” Adcock said. “Ball was pronounced dead on the scene.”

Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division responded to assist. The Luverne Police Department continues to investigate with ALEA’s assistance.