Driver hit in face with sign, killed

FOLEY, Ala. - Alabama State Troopers say it's one of the most bizarre murder cases they've ever seen. A man was killed when a street sign flew through his windshield, smashing into his face.

It happened Saturday around 2:30 a.m., in the Sweet Gum subdivision.

Police say 19-year-old John Hadley had gotten into an argument earlier in the day and was taking out his frustrations, when the crime happened.

Authorities say Hadley pulled the street sign right out of the ground, and threw it at the car Jose Galiana was simply driving down the street. Galina was a migrant worker from the Robertsdale area.

All that's left of Galiana's windshield is a gaping hole. Blue flags outline the crash scene near Magnolia school.

The car eventually crashed in front of Rose Mary Rowell's home, about a quarter mile away from where Hadley threw the sign.

"I didn't see or hear anything until my son said there were police across the street. There were a lot of police cars across the street and lights, but I never heard a siren. I didn't realize what happened until the next morning," Rowell said.

There's nothing but a hole where the street sign used to be.

Chad Lambert noticed the sign to his street was missing, but he didn't know his neighbor was in jail charged with murder.

"It was just the metal pole with two green signs, and you know it was gone. I told my wife, 'Somebody took our street sign,'" Lambert said.

"He had to be mad. But when you get mad, you get some extra strength," said resident Jack Smith.

Authorities said they went to Hadley house initially, because the 911 call was made from the residence. According to Corporal Steve Smith with the Alabama State Troopers, the investigation ultimately pointed to Hadley as the murder suspect.

Smith said another member of the Hadley family is in trouble.

"John Hadley's father is the one that called 911. He was subsequently charged with filing a false police report," Smith added.

State police say Albert Hadley told officers he simply saw the accident and reported it. However, investigators said the father knew more than what he was telling, and was possible trying to cover up for his son.

People who live in the Sweet Gum subdivision say the crime leaves them with a bad taste.

The coroner's office says the impact of the sign was so severe, the right side of the victim's face was barely recognizable.

Officials say it took a long time to release the victim's identity because he was undocumented. Detectives say Galiana didn't know Hadley.