Moulton, AL (April 12, 2026) – Three people were killed, and three others were injured in a two-vehicle crash Saturday morning, April 11, near the intersection of Alabama 157 and Alabama 24 in Lawrence County.
The crash happened around 11:30 a.m. and involved a Chevy Suburban SUV and a Ford F-150 truck. Emergency units responded to the scene and found multiple victims with severe injuries.
Authorities confirmed that 13-year-old Bryant Ballew and 7-year-old Bryleigh Pledger were pronounced dead at the scene. A 33-year-old woman, Ashley Haygood, was later pronounced dead at Parkway Medical Center in Decatur.
A 7-year-old twin sister of Bryleigh was taken to a Birmingham hospital for treatment. A 10-year-old child, Bentley Pledger, was also hospitalized in Birmingham. The driver of the SUV was transported with minor injuries.
The crash forced traffic closures in the area as multiple emergency agencies responded and worked the scene. Officials have not released further details on what caused the collision.
Authorities continue to investigate the crash, and more details will be released as soon as they become available.
We extend our sincere condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.
How Multi-Victim Highway Crashes Are Handled by Emergency Crews
When a crash involves multiple serious injuries or fatalities, emergency crews must quickly triage all victims to prioritize care. This means assessing who needs immediate life-saving treatment and who can be transported next.
Highway intersections can be especially challenging due to higher speeds and heavier vehicles. Collisions between SUVs and pickup trucks often result in significant force transfer, increasing the severity of injuries.
In incidents involving children, hospitals and trauma teams are typically placed on alert to receive incoming patients. Coordination between multiple agencies is often required to manage both medical care and traffic control at the scene.
