Tragic Accident Kills Three in Moulton Wreck

Two children and their mother died after a collision between a Chevy Suburban and a Ford F-150 truck.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:22pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered car window or damaged vehicle part, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the devastating impact of the fatal collision.The aftermath of a tragic accident exposes the harsh realities of road safety failures in this community.Moulton Today

A tragic accident in Moulton, Alabama has left three people dead, including two children, after a collision between a Chevy Suburban and a Ford F-150 truck. The accident occurred on Saturday morning at the intersection of Alabama 157 and Alabama 24, resulting in the deaths of 7-year-old Bryleigh G. Pledger, her 13-year-old brother Bryant Ballew, and their 33-year-old mother, Ashley Haywood.

Why it matters

This heartbreaking incident has shaken the local community and raised concerns about traffic safety in the area. The loss of life, especially of two young children, is a tragic reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for measures to prevent such accidents in the future.

The details

The accident occurred at 11:25 a.m. on Saturday when the Chevy Suburban was T-boned by the Ford F-150 truck. Bryleigh G. Pledger, one of the twin daughters, died at Children's Hospital in Birmingham, while her brother Bryant Ballew died at the scene. Their mother, Ashley Haywood, was being transported to Huntsville Hospital but went into cardiac arrest and died at Parkway Hospital at 12:24 p.m. Brynleigh Pledger, Bryleigh's twin, survived the accident with jaw and diaphragm injuries and is expected to recover, while their 10-year-old brother Bentley O. Pledger is also hospitalized.

  • The accident occurred at 11:25 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2026.
  • Bryleigh G. Pledger died at Children's Hospital in Birmingham.
  • Bryant Ballew died at the scene of the accident.
  • Ashley Haywood went into cardiac arrest and died at Parkway Hospital at 12:24 p.m. on the same day.

The players

Bryleigh G. Pledger

A 7-year-old girl who died in the accident.

Bryant Ballew

A 13-year-old boy who died in the accident.

Ashley Haywood

The 33-year-old mother of Bryleigh and Bryant, who died in the accident.

Brynleigh Pledger

The twin sister of Bryleigh, who survived the accident with injuries.

Bentley O. Pledger

The 10-year-old brother of Bryleigh and Brynleigh, who was also hospitalized after the accident.

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What they’re saying

“'Marlee had beautiful red hair. When I saw that little redhead, it was hard.'”

— Scott Norwood, Lawrence County Coroner

The takeaway

This tragic accident has left a community in mourning and highlights the need for increased traffic safety measures to prevent such devastating losses in the future. The loss of two young children and their mother is a heartbreaking reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of prioritizing road safety in our communities.