Saraland gas station losing business following deadly wreck, says owner

SARALAND, Ala. (WALA) - The canopy over a Saraland gas station stood a charred ruin on Wednesday.

Police investigators were out on the scene Wednesday morning, surveying the landscape and studying the area one day after a gas pump ignited when a truck slammed into it.

It was a dangerous mess, and it's a big case that Mobile Police are still following.

Police said a stolen truck rammed into a gas pump there, resulting in the fire. Two suspects were taken to a local hospital, where one died from his injuries.

On Tuesday afternoon, Mobile Police said two trucks were stolen from Laurel Drive. One was later spotted, and chased at high speeds through Saraland when witnesses say the truck lost control, flipped and collided into the gas pumps.

"It blew up, and as soon as it blew up, everybody run,” said witness Trevor Grantham.

"Scared me to death,” said Thomas Cobb, who also saw the explosion.

Police said the other stolen truck is still missing and a third suspect is on the loose. The names of the suspects have not been released yet.

In the aftermath, the convenience store is still open. The canopy above its one remaining gas pump is a scorched mess of mangled metal. The station manager’s eyes teared up, as he worried about the business he'll lose.

His customers will not let him down.

Customer Cristy Carlisle said, "We can't get our gas here now, but we can get other things here, he's still open."

Sam Hutto, who also patronizes the convenience store, said, "We've been trading here ever since he's been open."

The gas station manager says he has insurance. These thieves left behind a big mess, but as one customer pointed out, the damage could've been catastrophic.

If you have any information, call Mobile police.