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A two-vehicle traffic crash which closed a portion of highway in Butler County also claimed the life of an Evergreen man Tuesday.

Joseph Rapahel Novelli, 35, was fatally injured in the crash approximately three miles south of McKenzie.

“While attempting to elude law enforcement Joseph Raphael Novelli, 35, was fatally injured when the 2007 Kawasaki motorcycle he was operating left the roadway, struck two mailboxes, and then struck a parked Conecuh County Sheriff’s patrol vehicle,” said Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Senior Trooper Kendra McKinney.

The agency reported a road closure Monday night after a two-vehicle crash occurred around 7:25 p.m. left U.S. Highway 31 closed for an undetermined amount of time. 

The crash which took place in Butler County near the 115-mile marker blocked both lanes of the roadway said ALEA Sergeant Jeremy Burkett. 

“Troopers with the ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division are currently on scene investigating and will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates accordingly,” Burkett said. 

Troopers with ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate the crash, McKinney said.