UPDATE: Higgins and Autwell have both sign their own unsecured bond and are currently out of jail.
Terry Autwell age 28 of Hanceville and Skylar Higgins age 20 of Hayden were arrested Thursday afternoon. Both have been charged with Criminally Negligent Homicide following a December 2018 accident that killed April Landinger.
Sgt. Joey Duncan, who is a Traffic Homicide Investigator with Cullman Police Department stated, “On 12/10/2018, at around 5:56 P.M. the Cullman Police Traffic Homicide Unit was called out to investigate a two-vehicle crash on Cherokee Avenue (AL-69) at the intersection of 24th Street SW in the city limits of Cullman. The crash resulted in the death of a front seat passenger, April Landinger of Hanceville, AL, who was riding in a 2002 Hyundai Sonata. After the crash investigation was completed it was discovered human error was involved through improper driving actions which resulted in the crash. The case was presented to the court and warrants were issued for both drivers. The driver of a 2002 Hyundai Sonata, Terry Autwell, was arrested for Criminally Negligent Homicide and Failure to Yield Right of Way. The driver of a 2006 Ford Explorer, Skylar Higgins, was arrested for Criminally Negligent Homicide and Reasonable and Prudent Speed.”
“ I want to thank the Cullman Police Department and especially Traffic Homicide Investigator Joey Duncan for bringing justice for my daughter. When I heard they had been arrested I said thank you, God, I can sleep a little better. I can’t bring my daughter back and I would not want to because she is in a better place but I am thankful Officer Duncan worked hard to bring Justice” – Deborah Dollar ( Mother of April L. )
“I am glad the police arrested the people that killed my mother.” – Mia Elizabeth Landinger (Age 7, daughter of April Landinger)
