Ford Explorer traveling in northbound lanes struck Mazda 3 head-on
April 24, 2026 | Pelham, AL
A tragic head-on collision on Interstate 65 claimed the lives of two individuals early Friday morning, highlighting the dangers of wrong-way driving.
Jesse Southard, 20, died after a wrong-way crash in which a Ford Explorer traveling southbound in the northbound lanes struck a Mazda 3 on Interstate 65 in Pelham, Shelby County.
What Happened in the Crash?
A Ford Explorer traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of Interstate 65 struck a Mazda 3 head-on around 2:15 a.m. The incident occurred in Pelham, according to the Shelby County Coroner’s Office.
- Location: Northbound lanes of Interstate 65, Pelham, Alabama
- Time: Approximately 2:15 a.m. on April 24
- Vehicles Involved: Ford Explorer, wrong-way driver, and Mazda 3, southbound victim
- Victims: Jesse Southard, 20, of Birmingham, driver of the Mazda 3, pronounced dead at the scene, and the driver of the Ford Explorer was also killed
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been established to support Southard's family during this difficult time.
Why Do Wrong-Way Accidents Happen?
Wrong-way crashes remain a significant concern on highways like Interstate 65. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), these incidents often stem from driver error.
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Poor road design
- Driver confusion, such as mistaking exit ramps for entrances
The FHWA reports that approximately 400 people lose their lives annually in wrong-way wrecks across the United States.
Statistic |
Details |
Source |
|---|
Annual Fatalities |
About 400 deaths per year |
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) |
Primary Cause |
Driver error (e.g., impairment, distraction) |
FHWA |
Contributing Factors |
Poor signage, road design flaws |
FHWA and CDC highway safety reports |
Legal Insights on Wrong-Way Crash Investigations
In cases such as this involving fatal motor vehicle accidents, conducting an independent investigation is crucial to preserving evidence and understanding contributing factors.
“In addition to a police report, an attorney will carefully review what may have contributed to the crash,” said Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal and a national analyst. “Your lawyer has the resources to hire witnesses, conduct driver background checks, locate witnesses to the crash, and review applicable insurance coverage. Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a family during this difficult time, while protecting their legal rights.”
- Preserve physical evidence promptly through independent investigations
- Review driver histories and witness statements for comprehensive analysis
- Ensure families receive compassionate support alongside legal protection
Families of victims in wrongful death scenarios, like those affected by this crash, may pursue claims for loss of companionship, pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
“We understand just what families are forced to go through, and having their rights protected is vital,” said Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal. “A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that their best interests are taken care of. Relatives of wrongful death victims are entitled to seek damages for the loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a tragic or catastrophic accident.”
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If you or a family member has been affected by a similar incident, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation. Use the contact information provided on this page.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).