JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ala. — Authorities have released the name of a woman who lost her life in a tragic crash Sunday afternoon along U.S. 280, a busy roadway that was shut down for hours following the violent collision. The incident left one person dead, another seriously injured, and caused major traffic disruptions as emergency crews worked the scene.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Morgan Lakesha Hawkins, a 27-year-old Birmingham resident. Coroner officials confirmed Hawkins was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering fatal injuries in the crash, which happened shortly after midday.
According to officials, the crash occurred at approximately 1:16 p.m. on U.S. 280, between Cherokee Road and Cahaba Road. Rocky Ridge Fire District Chief Jon Lord said the vehicle was traveling westbound when it suddenly lost control. The car then slammed into the median guardrail on the passenger side, triggering a severe impact.
Chief Lord said the force of the collision caused both occupants to become trapped inside the vehicle, requiring an extensive rescue effort. The guardrail was pushed into two eastbound lanes, creating a dangerous situation and forcing authorities to shut down that section of the highway for several hours while crews worked to clear the scene.
Hawkins was seated in the front passenger seat at the time of the crash. She was pronounced dead at 1:45 p.m., about 30 minutes after the collision. The driver, whose name has not been released, survived the crash but suffered serious injuries and was transported to UAB Hospital for treatment. Officials have not provided an update on the driver’s condition.
Multiple emergency agencies responded to the scene, including the Rocky Ridge Fire District, Mountain Brook firefighters and police, and Alabama state troopers. First responders worked together to free the trapped occupants, manage traffic, and secure the damaged roadway as investigators began examining the crash.
The Mountain Brook Police Department is leading the investigation into what caused the vehicle to lose control. Officials have not said whether speed, weather, or other factors played a role. As the investigation continues, Hawkins’ death marks another tragic loss on one of the region’s busiest highways, leaving family and loved ones mourning a life cut short far too soon.
