Dad Says ‘Hug Your Kids a Little Tighter’ After Son Dies in Crash That Also Killed Boy’s Mom and Sister! QT

A father is speaking out after his 13-year-old son died in an Alabama traffic crash last weekend that also killed the boy’s mother and younger sister, and injured his two siblings.

“Hug your kids a little tighter,” Josh Ballew told Fox affiliate WZDX on Monday, April 13. “Enjoy every second that you possibly can with them, because we always think there’s tomorrow… but we never know.”

The incident occurred at the intersection of Highway 157 and Highway 24 at approximately 11:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, April 11, Moulton Mayor Ryan Jolly said in a video shared on Facebook.

The woman, identified by WAFF 48 as 33-year-old Ashley Hagood, was taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.

Hagood’s children — Bryant Ballew, 13, and Bryleigh Pledger, 7 — were pronounced dead at the scene, while her other kids Bentley Pledger, 10, and Bryleigh’s twin sister, Brynleigh Pledger, 7, were airlifted to a nearby hospital in critical condition, the outlet reported.

The driver of the Ford F-150 that struck Hagood’s Chevy Suburban was also taken to a hospital with a head injury, WAFF 48 reported. He is expected to survive.

In his interview with WZDX, Josh, Bryant’s dad, remembered his son as an energetic person who loved his dirt bike and friends but also took his responsibility as an older brother to his younger siblings seriously.

“He was probably one of the best big brothers I’ve ever seen,” Josh told the outlet. “Them twins… he cared for them, loved on them, helped watch them. He did anything that he absolutely could for them.”

Josh also told WZDX that Bryant was a person of faith who had recently distributed baby Jesus figurines to his classmates.

Bryant’s obituary described him as the epitome of the “all-American boy” whose favorite activities included baseball, motocross, hunting and fishing.

“Bryant was kind and tender-hearted,” the memorial tribute stated. “He loved hard. He was a proud big brother and did the job well. He was a built-in best friend for his stepbrother Hunter, they loved keeping the roads hot any chance they got. He was the most respectful grandson and was always up for a road trip with his Nana or a day on the job site with his Pawpaw Chris.”

“He was a fun-loving nephew, he was always ready for a good time and wasn’t afraid to try new things,” the obituary continued. “He was the best friend anyone could ask for. He was a Coach’s dream, always willing to put in the extra practice. He was the sweet student that all teachers hoped for. Most importantly, he was the perfect son.”

The family of the victims also shared updates through social media on Monday about the two surviving injured children, WZDX reported.

They said that Brynleigh experienced increased swelling on her brain, noting, “We are trying to keep her comfortable but also help with her healing at the same time. She is on life support and we don’t expect much change for a while. She has a very long recovery.”

Meanwhile, Bentley, they said, is awake and alert but remains in pain.

“He’s emotionally unwell and needs all the love and support any little boy can have,” the family wrote. “He doesn’t remember anything. He was with his mom and siblings, and then woke up and they are all gone. We are doing and saying everything we can to let him know he’s ok. But he’s so scared. He’s afraid to go sleep. He’s just dealing with pain from the inside out.”