On Saturday night, October 7, 2023, Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 47-year-old Rodney DeWayne Gildersleeve, for driving under the influence of alcohol. The 18-wheeler Gildersleeve was operating was traveling north in the southbound lane of Bluff Ridge Road. Gildersleeve’s truck struck a pickup truck traveling in the southbound lane. The pickup was driven by a 30-year-old female. She was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. Also, occupying the vehicle were a 30-year-old female passenger and the driver’s two small children, a 2-year- old male and a 4-year-old female. The children were buckled into child safety seats. Both were transported to Children’s Hosptial where they were treated and released. The adult female passenger was not injured in the crash.
Rodney DeWayne Gildersleeve is being held in the Jefferson County Jail in Bessemer on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, assault 1st degree and obstruction of governmental operations. Circumstances associated with the investigation warranted that Gildersleeve have no bond set at this time. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team is conducting the investigation into the circumstances surrounding this crash.