Multiple fatalities confirmed following accident in Moulton

LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) - Moulton officials told News 19 that three people have died in a wreck on Saturday near the intersection of Highway 157 and Highway 24. The wreck happened around 11 a.m. and involved an SUV and a truck, News 19 was told. First responders at the scene said there was confirmed entrapment. The four people who died were inside the SUV. Coroner Scott Norwood confirmed that Ashley Hagood, 33, the driver of the SUV, died shortly after arriving at the hospital. Bryant Ballew, 10, and Brynleigh Pledger, 7, were both pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Bentley Pledger, 10, and Bryleigh Pledger, 7, were both taken to the hospital and is in critical condition. The driver of the truck had minor injuries and was taken to the hospital. After hours of delays the intersection of Highway 157 and Highway 24 is now back open. Moulton Mayor Ryan Jolly released the following statement: We would ask the public’s cooperation and your patience in allowing our law enforcement officers to complete their investigation thoroughly. We would ask the community find alternate routes in and around the city during this time. More importantly, I want to ask the community for prayers. I want to ask you for prayers for the families of those involved, but also prayers for our first responders who valiantly raced to an emergency scene not knowing what they were going to encounter when they got there, but being able to provide and render aid to those in need at their time of need. I would just ask the community to continue to lift up our first responders; responding to these scenes are very difficult. They take a mental and physical toll on our first responders. The next few weeks and months will be very difficult for our first responders as they navigate through this process. We have committed to provide the necessary resources to assist our first responders in dealing with this incident. Again, I would just ask our community to come together, hug each other a little tighter, and continue to pray for one another. State Rep. Ernie Yarbrough, whose district includes Lawrence County, released the following statement: Our hearts sorrow with those impacted today in the terrible wreck in Moulton today. Multiple fatalities and precious ones flown to UAB Children’s. May God have mercy on all impacted and on those who responded with compassion and bravery to the scene. Lord, help us in our time of need. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.