MOULTON, Alabama — A family drive ended in unimaginable tragedy when a driver allegedly blew through a red light and slammed into an SUV carrying a mother and her four children.
Ashley Dawn Hagood, 33, and three of her kids were killed in the crash on April 11 at the intersection of State Roads 157 and 24.
Her children — Bryant Christopher Ballew, 13, and 7-year-old twins Bryleigh Grace Pledger and Brynleigh Nell Pledger — all lost their lives. A fourth child, 10-year-old Bentley Pledger, survived.
What investigators found
Police say Garrett Cole Nix, 35, was behind the wheel of a Ford F-150 when he entered the intersection on a red light.
Investigators initially checked whether the traffic signal had malfunctioned. It had not.
Authorities determined the light had been red for a significant period before Nix’s truck entered the intersection. Several other vehicles had already passed through on green before Hagood’s SUV crossed.
“We witnessed one of the most tragic and horrific events imaginable,” said Moulton Police Chief Craig Knight. “Four lives were taken needlessly.”
Nix was indicted by a Lawrence County grand jury and turned himself in Monday, posting bond shortly after.
The charges and the defense
Nix faces four counts of manslaughter, plus charges of DUI, speeding, and running a red light.
His attorney disputes the DUI charge, saying there is no evidence of impairment and that any marijuana use occurred days before the crash.
“This is a horrible, awful tragedy,” the attorney said. “However, it is an accident.”
The victims’ family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Nix. His next court date is August 25.
A family remembered
Hagood’s obituary called her a “Wonder Woman of a mom.”
Bryant was described as an all-American boy who loved baseball, motocross, and fishing.
Twin Brynleigh, who passed away days after the crash, was an organ donor.
“Hopefully donating her gifts can keep this unimaginable nightmare from happening to someone else,” her stepmother wrote.
What are your thoughts on this tragedy? Share them in the comments below.
