A 35-year-old Alabama man has been charged with four counts of manslaughter after authorities allege he ran a red light and slammed his Ford F-150 into an SUV carrying a mother and her four children, killing three of the minors, according to court records and statements from law enforcement officials.
Garrett Cole Nix faces additional charges including first-degree assault, driving under the influence, speeding and running a red light in connection with the April 11 crash that occurred at approximately 10:30 a.m. at the intersection of State Roads 157 and 24 in Moulton, located some 45 miles southwest of Huntsville.
Background
The collision claimed the lives of 33-year-old Ashley Dawn Hagood and three of her children: Bryant Christopher Ballew, 13, and 7-year-old twins Bryleigh Grace Pledger and Brynleigh Nell Pledger. A fourth child, 10-year-old Bentley Pledger, survived the crash.
Moulton Police Chief Craig Knight addressed reporters during a Monday press conference, describing the incident as one of the most tragic events his department had witnessed.
"On April the 11th, 2026, we witnessed one of the most tragic and horrific events imaginable. Four lives were taken needlessly, and family members' lives were changed forever," Knight said.
The Investigation
Lieutenant Casey Baker, who headed the investigation, told reporters that authorities initially examined whether a malfunctioning traffic signal contributed to the crash. Those concerns were ultimately dismissed after investigators determined that Nix's traffic light had been red for a "significant period of time" before his vehicle entered the intersection.
Baker noted that several vehicles had already passed through on a green light by the time Hagood's SUV entered the intersection, supporting the allegation that Nix failed to stop at the red signal.
A Lawrence County grand jury handed down an indictment against Nix last week. He surrendered to the county jail on Monday and was released after posting bond.
The Defense Response
Nix's attorney, James Sturdivant, disputed the prosecution's narrative during comments to local media outlet WAFF, asserting there is no evidence of impairment at the time of the crash.
"There is no evidence in this case of impairment. None. Period. End of story," Sturdivant said. The attorney acknowledged that his client may have used marijuana recreationally "three days before, two days before, five days before" the incident but maintained this did not constitute driving under the influence.
Sturdivant also declined to confirm whether Nix ran the red light, characterizing the case as a tragic accident rather than criminal conduct.
"No one disputes that this is a horrible, awful tragedy. However, it is an accident," Sturdivant said. "This case does not belong in criminal court, and it certainly does not belong with a manslaughter charge."
Key Takeaways
- Four victims died: Ashley Dawn Hagood, 33; Bryant Christopher Ballew, 13; Bryleigh Grace Pledger, 7; and Brynleigh Nell Pledger, 7
- A fourth child, Bentley Pledger, age 10, survived the crash
- Nix is charged with four counts of manslaughter, first-degree assault, DUI, speeding and running a red light
- Authorities determined Nix's traffic signal had been red for a significant period before he entered the intersection
- Bryleigh died at the scene; her twin sister Brynleigh passed away days later at a hospital and was an organ donor
What's Next
Nix is scheduled to appear in court on August 25 for his next scheduled hearing. The victims' family has filed a separate wrongful death lawsuit against Nix, civil litigation that proceeds independently of the criminal case.