Alabama Accident News
(Moulton / Lawrence County, Alabama — April 12, 2026) – A devastating two-vehicle collision at a Moulton highway intersection on Saturday morning killed a mother and two of her children and left two more of her children fighting for their lives at UAB Hospital in Birmingham. The crash, one of the deadliest in Lawrence County in recent memory, occurred when a Ford F-150 truck struck a Chevrolet Suburban SUV carrying a family of five at the intersection of Alabama Highway 157 and Alabama Highway 24.
Key Takeaways
- Ashley Hagood, 33, of Moulton, was killed when the Chevrolet Suburban she was driving was struck by a Ford F-150 truck at the intersection of Alabama Highway 157 and Alabama Highway 24 in Moulton at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
- Two of Hagood’s children — Bryant Ballew, 13, and Bryleigh Pledger, 7 — were pronounced dead at the scene. Hagood was transported to the hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
- Two surviving children — Bentley Pledger, 10, and Brynleigh Pledger, 7 (Bryleigh’s twin sister) — were airlifted to UAB Hospital in Birmingham in critical condition.
- The driver of the Ford F-150 sustained a head injury and was taken to a local hospital. He is expected to survive.
- Lawrence County authorities, Moulton Police, Moulton Fire Department, and the Lawrence County Emergency Management Agency all responded to the scene. The intersection was closed for several hours during the investigation.
- A gofundeme page has been setup to help the family during this tragedy.
- Fob James Law Firm offers free consultations to families affected by fatal crashes in Alabama, including wrongful death cases involving children, with no fees unless recovery occurs.
What Happened: Ford F-150 Strikes Family’s SUV at Moulton Highway Intersection
The crash occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the intersection of Alabama Highway 157 and Alabama Highway 24 in Moulton. According to Lawrence County Coroner Scott Norwood, a Chevrolet Suburban SUV carrying Ashley Hagood and her four children was struck on the side by a Ford F-150 truck. First responders confirmed entrapment at the scene.
Bryant Ballew, 13, and Bryleigh Pledger, 7, were pronounced dead at the scene. Their mother, Ashley Hagood, 33, was rushed to Huntsville Hospital, where she was pronounced dead a short time after arriving. Two surviving children — Bentley Pledger, 10, and Brynleigh Pledger, 7 — were airlifted to UAB Hospital in Birmingham in critical condition. The driver of the F-150 was treated at a hospital for a head injury and is expected to survive.
The Lawrence County Emergency Management Agency, Moulton Police Department, and the Moulton Fire Department all responded, along with multiple other agencies throughout Lawrence County. The intersection of Highways 157 and 24 remained closed for several hours as investigators worked the scene.
In a statement released Saturday, Moulton Mayor Ryan Jolly asked the community for prayers, not only for the victims’ families but for the first responders who arrived at the scene.
State Representative Ernie Yarbrough, whose district includes Lawrence County, also released a statement, saying: “Multiple fatalities and precious ones flown to UAB Children’s. May God have mercy on all impacted.”
Traffic and Community Impact
The intersection of Alabama Highway 157 and Alabama Highway 24 is one of the primary crossroads serving the city of Moulton and the surrounding Lawrence County community. The collision shut down the busy intersection for the duration of the morning and into the afternoon, with the Alabama Department of Transportation assisting to reroute traffic around the closure.
The crash has sent shockwaves through the Moulton community. The loss of a mother and two children — with two more children still in critical condition — represents an unimaginable tragedy for the family and the broader Lawrence County community.
What Investigators Will Examine
Moulton Police and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency are continuing their investigation into the circumstances of the crash. In a side-impact collision at a highway intersection, investigators will typically examine:
- Traffic control — whether a stop sign, traffic signal, or other right-of-way device was present at the intersection, and whether either driver failed to comply
- Speed of the F-150 — whether the truck was traveling at a safe speed when it entered the intersection
- Driver conduct — distraction, impairment, or fatigue on the part of the truck driver
- Sight lines and visibility — whether the intersection design or surrounding vegetation limited either driver’s ability to see oncoming traffic
- Intersection safety history — whether the Highway 157 and Highway 24 intersection has a documented history of crashes that may indicate a known hazard
- Physical evidence including skid marks, vehicle crush patterns, and event data recorder (black box) data from both vehicles
- Witness statements and any available traffic or dashcam footage
An official crash report will be compiled by ALEA and is critical for any insurance claims or legal proceedings.
How to Contact ALEA for Official Crash Reports
After an investigation, you can request the official crash report 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 Fatal Intersection Crash Involving Children
When a vehicle runs a stop sign, fails to yield, or otherwise disregards right-of-way at a highway intersection and causes a fatal crash, the legal consequences can be far-reaching. Under Alabama’s wrongful death statute, the personal representative of each deceased victim’s estate may bring a separate wrongful death claim. In this case, the deaths of three individuals — including two minor children — means multiple families may have independent legal rights.
Key legal considerations include:
- Driver negligence — if the F-150 driver ran a stop sign or failed to yield, that failure forms the foundation of a car accident negligence claim
- Intersection liability — if evidence shows the intersection at Highway 157 and Highway 24 has a documented crash history or design defect, a claim against the responsible government entity may also be worth investigating
- Claims on behalf of surviving injured children — Bentley and Brynleigh Pledger, both hospitalized in critical condition, may have independent personal injury claims for their physical injuries, medical expenses, and trauma
- Alabama wrongful death law — Alabama’s wrongful death statute is unique in that it awards punitive damages rather than compensatory damages, making the strength of the liability case especially important
Alabama’s strict contributory negligence rule means any finding of partial fault against the victims’ side could bar recovery entirely. Early evidence preservation — including black box data, traffic control records, and intersection maintenance history — is critical and time-sensitive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was killed in the Moulton highway crash on April 11, 2026? Ashley Hagood, 33, Bryant Ballew, 13, and Bryleigh Pledger, 7, were killed in the crash at the intersection of Highway 157 and Highway 24 in Moulton, Alabama.
What caused the Moulton crash at Highway 157 and Highway 24? A Ford F-150 truck struck the side of a Chevrolet Suburban SUV at the intersection. Investigators have not yet released a definitive cause. Moulton Police and ALEA are continuing to investigate.
Were any children seriously injured in the Moulton crash? Yes. Bentley Pledger, 10, and Brynleigh Pledger, 7, were both airlifted to UAB Hospital in Birmingham in critical condition following the crash.
Can families file a lawsuit after the Moulton intersection crash? Families of those killed or seriously injured may have the right to pursue wrongful death or personal injury claims depending on the findings of the investigation. An experienced Alabama wrongful death attorney can help evaluate those options.
Is There a GoFundMe Page Where I Can Donate to Help the Family? Yes, click here to donate.
Fob James Law Firm — Here for Alabama Families After Devastating Crashes
At Fob James Law Firm, our car accident attorneys and wrongful death lawyers represent Alabama families who have suffered catastrophic losses on the road. We handle cases throughout Alabama, including Montgomery, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and surrounding counties. We offer:
✅ Free, no-obligation case reviews ✅ Coordination with accident reconstruction specialists and intersection safety experts ✅ 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.