By admin 
MOULTON, Ala. (WAFF/Gray News) – An Alabama man is facing charges of manslaughter and driving under the influence after an April crash that killed a mother and three of her children.
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Garrett Nix, 35, was indicted by a grand jury Monday on four counts of manslaughter, assault, DUI and other traffic violations, according to court documents.
The charges stem from an April crash that killed 33-year-old Ashley Hagood and three of her children: 13-year-old Bryant Ballew and 7-year-old twins, Bryleigh and Brynleigh Pledger. Hagood’s 10-year-old son, Bentley Pledger, was critically injured in the crash but survived.
Investigation reveals details of crash
The crash report indicated that on April 11, Nix was driving a pickup truck on Highway 24 in Moulton when he allegedly ran a red light at an intersection, colliding with an SUV driven by Hagood, who had her four children in the car.
The report says Hagood had the right of way.
Two of the children, Bryant and Bryleigh, were pronounced dead at the scene. Hagood and her daughter Brynleigh were rushed to the hospital, where they later died.
Bentley, the child who survived the crash, was flown by a medical helicopter to the Children’s Hospital in Birmingham, where he received treatment and was released later that week.
The investigation revealed Nix was allegedly speeding that day without a seat belt on and ran through a red light that was red for a significant period of time.
“Several vehicles had went through the intersection prior to Mrs. Hagood’s vehicle traveling through the intersection,” said Lt. Casey Baker with Moulton Police.
Suspect’s attorney says crash was a tragic accident
Nix’s attorney, James Sturdivant, says this is a tragic accident, and his client feels horrible about what happened. But he says the evidence shows Nix shouldn’t be held criminally responsible for the deaths of Hagood and her children.
Sturdivant says no evidence shows Nix was impaired. He says no alcohol was found in his client’s system but a small trace of marijuana was.
“There is no evidence in this case of impairment. None. Period. End of story,” Sturdivant said. “Mr. Nix, like millions of Americans, may have had a recreational use of marijuana three days before, two days before, five days before.”
He says it’s too early to convict Nix for running the red light, but even if he did run it, he says there’s not enough evidence to show he was criminally reckless.
“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 doesn’t belong with a manslaughter charge.”
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Nix bonded out of jail Monday. His first court appearance will be in late August.
Families react after charges filed
In May, the Pledger family and Bryant’s father, Joshua Ballew, filed separate wrongful death lawsuits against Nix after the crash report was released.
The Pledger family sent the following statement to WAFF:
I would like to publicly thank the Moulton Police Department, Moulton Fire Department, Air Evac of the Shoals, Children’s Hospital in Birmingham, as well as the countless individuals that done everything humanly possible to take care of my children. No parent should ever go through the loss we have, it is truly unimaginable the amount of pain we have had to endure and continue too due to the actions of another human being.
I will not comment on the criminal charges against Mr. Nix.
However, I will pray for him and his family. The Lord has a reason for all things.
Jeremiah 29:11, which reads: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
The plans for my sweet beautiful girls was eternal life at the feet of Jesus.
There have been many people come to Jesus in the aftermath of this tragedy, for that alone we are able to worship and give thanks to the one and only living God.
Ben Locklar of Beasley Allen Law Firm, who is representing Tyler Pledger, the father of Brynleigh, Bryleigh and Bentley, also sent a statement to WAFF:
Mr. Pledger is thankful that charges have been brought against Garrett Cole Nix in connection with the April 11, 2026, crash that claimed the lives of his twin daughters, Brynleigh and Bryleigh Pledger, and caused injuries to his son, Bentley Pledger.
Mr. Pledger has filed a civil lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Lawrence County on behalf of his three children against Garrett Cole Nix and his employer, Ken Nix & Associates, seeking accountability for the deaths of Brynleigh and Bryleigh and the injuries suffered by Bentley.
While the filing of criminal charges cannot return Mr. Pledger’s daughters to him, he is appreciative of the efforts of law enforcement and the thorough investigation that led to those charges. He remains confident in the judicial process and believes the criminal and civil courts will allow the facts surrounding this tragedy to be fully examined.
During this difficult time, Mr. Pledger’s focus remains on honoring the memory of Brynleigh and Bryleigh and caring for Bentley as the family continues to move forward.
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