Accident kills mechanic at Columbus car business

A mechanic from Smiths Station, Alabama, was killed Wednesday in Columbus when a large truck accelerated off a lift and crushed him against a wall, authorities said.

Bradley Kastl, 36, died at the scene from blunt-force trauma at 2:40 p.m., said Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan. The accident at Rivertown Ford, 1680 Whittlesey Road, was reported to emergency medical services at 2:20 p.m., he said.

Bryan said a commercial “box truck” was being pulled onto the lift for repair when it abruptly sped forward, pinning Kastl against the wall, which was just 47 inches from the end of the lift. Kastl was killed instantly, he said.

The body will be sent to the state crime lab for an autopsy, though the death has been ruled an accident, the coroner said.

Tim Chitwood

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

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Tim Chitwood is from Seale, Alabama, and started as a police beat reporter with the Ledger-Enquirer in 1982. He since has covered Columbus’ serial killings and other homicides, following some from the scene of the crime to trial verdicts and ensuing appeals. He also has been a Ledger-Enquirer humor columnist since 1987. He’s a graduate of Auburn University, and started out working for the weekly Phenix Citizen in Phenix City, Ala.