Birmingham, AL (March 9, 2026) – A woman died, and another person was hurt after a single-vehicle crash on Sunday afternoon, March 8, along U.S. Highway 280 near Cherokee Road in Birmingham.
Emergency units responded to the scene after reports of a vehicle leaving the roadway while traveling westbound on US 280. Authorities said the driver lost control, causing the vehicle to strike a guardrail on the passenger side.
The car had two occupants at the time of the crash. The passenger, identified as 27-year-old Morgan Lakesha Hawkins, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment following the collision, but their condition has not been released.
Crews remained at the scene for a period of time while the crash site was examined and the damaged vehicle was removed from the roadway.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as soon as they become available.
We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased victim.
Why Guardrail Collisions Can Be Severe in Highway Crashes
Guardrails are placed along highways to prevent vehicles from leaving the roadway or entering hazardous areas such as steep slopes or opposing traffic lanes. While these barriers are designed to reduce the risk of more serious outcomes, crashes involving guardrails can still cause significant damage.
When a vehicle hits a guardrail, the impact can concentrate force along one side of the vehicle. If the strike occurs near a passenger door, the occupant in that seat may face a higher risk of serious harm because there is less structural space to absorb the impact.
Highway speeds can also increase the severity of these collisions. The faster a vehicle is traveling, the greater the force during impact with roadside barriers.
Vehicle stability, roadway curves, and driver reaction time can all affect how a vehicle interacts with a guardrail after control is lost.
