(Pelham / Shelby County, Alabama — April 25, 2026) – A Birmingham college student was tragically killed in a devastating wrong-way head-on collision on Interstate 65 in Pelham in the early morning hours of Friday, April 24, 2026 — just one day after his 20th birthday. Jesse Southard, a college freshman from Birmingham, was traveling northbound in the correct lanes when his vehicle was struck head-on by a truck traveling southbound in the northbound lanes. Both drivers were killed. The Shelby County Coroner’s Office has confirmed that alcohol and speed are believed to be contributing factors, with toxicology testing currently pending.
Key Takeaways
- Jesse Southard, 20, of Birmingham, was killed at approximately 2:15 a.m. on Friday, April 24, 2026, when the 2012 Honda Accord he was driving was struck head-on by a truck traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of Interstate 65 in Pelham. The crash occurred one day after his 20th birthday.
- The driver of the wrong-way truck, April Ballard, 36, of Leeds, was also killed in the crash. Ballard was a nurse and mother of three children.
- Shelby County Coroner Lina Evans confirmed that alcohol and speed are believed to be factors in the crash. Toxicology specimens from both victims have been submitted to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for testing.
- The crash forced the closure of the northbound lanes of I-65 between the Tank Farm exit and the Oak Mountain State Park exit for several hours while emergency crews responded and ALEA investigators processed the scene.
- The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Highway Patrol Division and the Shelby County Coroner’s Office are continuing to investigate.
What Happened: Wrong-Way Driver Strikes College Student Head-On on I-65
The crash occurred at approximately 2:15 a.m. on Friday, April 24, 2026, on Interstate 65 northbound in Pelham, between the Tank Farm exit and the Oak Mountain State Park exit. According to the Shelby County Coroner’s Office, Jesse Southard, 20, was driving his 2012 Honda Accord northbound in the correct lanes when the truck driven by April Ballard, 36, of Leeds, entered the northbound lanes of I-65 traveling in the wrong direction (southbound) and struck Southard’s vehicle head-on.
Both drivers sustained fatal injuries in the collision. Southard was pronounced dead at the scene. Ballard also died as a result of the crash. The northbound lanes of I-65 between exits 242 and 247 were closed for several hours as Pelham Fire and Rescue, ALEA troopers, and the Shelby County Coroner’s Office worked the scene.
Shelby County Coroner Lina Evans confirmed to WBRC that alcohol and speed are believed to be contributing factors in the crash, and that toxicology specimens from both victims have been sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for analysis. The investigation is ongoing.
Traffic and Community Impact
Interstate 65 through Pelham is one of the busiest stretches of highway in the Birmingham metro area, connecting Jefferson County to Shelby County and serving as the primary north-south artery between Birmingham and Montgomery. The section of I-65 between the Tank Farm exit and Oak Mountain State Park exit runs through a high-traffic suburban corridor and carries significant overnight commuter and commercial traffic.
The crash has reverberated through communities across the Birmingham region. Birmingham, Leeds, and Pelham are all mourning the loss of two people whose deaths — so close together, in such horrific circumstances — have left families shattered.
Wrong-way crashes on Alabama interstates are among the most catastrophic and preventable collision types. Research consistently shows that wrong-way driving on divided highways occurs disproportionately in the early morning hours and is strongly associated with alcohol impairment.
What Investigators Will Examine
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Highway Patrol Division is conducting a full investigation into the circumstances of the crash. Key investigative questions include:
- Where and how Ballard’s vehicle entered the northbound lanes — whether she entered via an off-ramp, crossed the median, or drove wrong-way for an extended distance before the collision
- Toxicology results — blood alcohol and drug screening for both drivers is currently pending through the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences
- Speed at the time of impact — event data recorder (black box) data from both vehicles, including speed, brake application, and steering inputs in the seconds before the crash
- Traffic camera and surveillance footage — ALEA and Pelham Police are reviewing camera footage from the I-65 corridor near the Highway 31 interchange and nearby on-ramps to trace the wrong-way entry point
- Whether any third party contributed — including whether any establishment served alcohol to Ballard in the hours before the crash
- Witness accounts and dashcam footage — any motorists who observed the wrong-way vehicle before the collision are urged to contact investigators
An official crash report from ALEA will document these findings and is essential for any insurance claims or legal proceedings.
How to Contact ALEA for Official Crash Reports
After the investigation concludes, the official crash report can be requested from ALEA:
📍 Mail/In-Person: Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Records / Crash Reports 301 S. Ripley Street Montgomery, AL 36104
📞 Phone: (334) 517-2800
🌐 Online: Available via the Alabama Interactive portal once finalized.
Crash reports typically take 7–10 business days to become available.
Legal Considerations After a Wrong-Way or DUI Crash in Alabama
When a wrong-way driver causes a fatal crash on an Alabama interstate, the legal questions that follow are serious and time-sensitive. The family of an innocent victim like Jesse Southard, traveling in the correct lane at the correct time, may have significant legal rights under Alabama law.
Wrongful Death Claims Against the At-Fault Driver’s Estate
Under Alabama’s wrongful death statute, the personal representative of Southard’s estate may bring a wrongful death claim against the estate of April Ballard if the investigation confirms that her wrong-way driving caused his death. Alabama’s wrongful death damages are punitive in nature — designed to hold wrongdoers accountable — making the strength of the liability case especially important. Toxicology results will be a critical factor in establishing that case.
Dram Shop Liability
If evidence emerges that April Ballard was served alcohol by a bar, restaurant, or other licensed establishment in the hours before the crash, Alabama’s dram shop law may provide an additional avenue of recovery for Southard’s family. Alabama’s dram shop statute, codified at Ala. Code § 6-5-71, allows claims against establishments that unlawfully sell alcohol to a person who is visibly intoxicated and subsequently causes injury or death. This is a meaningful but limited avenue that requires early investigation to identify where Ballard may have consumed alcohol before the crash.
Underinsured and Uninsured Motorist Coverage
If Ballard’s auto insurance limits are insufficient to cover the full scope of damages available to Southard’s family, applicable car accident underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage on Southard’s own policy or a household family member’s policy may provide supplemental recovery. UIM coverage analysis should be a priority in any legal consultation.
Alabama’s Contributory Negligence Rule
Alabama follows a strict contributory negligence standard — meaning any finding of fault on Southard’s part could theoretically bar recovery. However, in a head-on crash where the other driver was traveling in the wrong lane of a divided interstate highway, a contributory negligence defense would face an extraordinarily high burden. The facts as currently understood strongly support Southard’s innocence as a victim in this crash.
Critical Evidence to Preserve Now
Evidence in wrong-way DUI crashes must be secured quickly. Key items include:
- Event data recorder (black box) data from both vehicles — captures pre-crash speed, braking, and steering
- Traffic camera and ALPR footage from the I-65 corridor — often overwritten within days
- Ballard’s cell phone records — for potential distracted driving evidence
- Surveillance footage from establishments Ballard may have visited before the crash
- Toxicology reports from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences — once released
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Jesse Southard? Jesse Southard was a 20-year-old Birmingham resident and college freshman who was killed on April 24, 2026 — one day after his 20th birthday — in a wrong-way head-on crash on Interstate 65 in Pelham. He was remembered by family and friends as kind, funny, and deeply caring.
What caused the I-65 Pelham crash on April 24, 2026? A truck driven by April Ballard, 36, of Leeds, entered the northbound lanes of I-65 traveling in the wrong direction and struck Jesse Southard’s Honda Accord head-on. The Shelby County Coroner has said alcohol and speed are believed to be factors. Toxicology testing is pending.
How do I get the ALEA crash report for the Pelham I-65 crash? You can request the official crash report from ALEA at (334) 517-2800 or via the Alabama Interactive portal. See our Alabama crash report guide for step-by-step instructions.
Fob James Law Firm — Fighting for Families After Wrong-Way and DUI Crashes in Alabama
At Fob James Law Firm, our car accident attorneys and wrongful death lawyers represent Alabama families who have lost loved ones to preventable crashes — including wrong-way drivers and impaired driving. We serve clients throughout Birmingham, Pelham, and all of Shelby County. We offer:
✅ Free, no-obligation case reviews ✅ Immediate evidence preservation — black box data, traffic cameras, dram shop investigation ✅ Full insurance coverage analysis including UIM/UM claims ✅ Representation on a contingency-fee basis — no fees unless you recover
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Fob James, IV
Fob James obtained a B.S., in software engineering from Auburn University and then continued his education by getting his J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law. After working for a large national firm for several years, Fob found that his passion was fighting for individuals who have been seriously injured or wronged by others. Fob believes that the jury is the great equalizer to the power and influence that large corporations have in society. Many of Fob’s cases are high profile and have been featured in, among others: Bloomberg News, PlanAdvisor, AL.com, PlanSponsor, InsuranceJournal, and BusinessInsider. For his work in obtaining numerous multi-million dollar outcomes for his clients, Fob has been recognized by: National Trial Lawyers Top 100, SuperLawyers Rising Star (2020-2025), Birmingham Business Journal Who’s Who in Law (2023-2025), and TrustAnalytica – Top Personal Injury Lawyers in Alabama.