LAUDERDALE COUNTY, Ala. — Authorities are investigating a devastating crash that claimed the life of a Tuscaloosa man Wednesday afternoon along Alabama Highway 20, leaving a community in grief and raising new reminders about roadway safety.
According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), the collision occurred around 1:12 p.m. near the 7-mile marker, approximately 11 miles west of Florence. Investigators say the incident involved two vehicles, including a pickup truck driven by 26-year-old Joshua D. Strozier of Tuscaloosa. Emergency crews arrived quickly but tragically pronounced Strozier deceased at the scene.
Authorities report that Strozier’s pickup truck collided head-on with another vehicle in what they described as a violent impact. Preliminary findings indicate that Strozier was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash — a factor investigators believe may have contributed to the fatal outcome. The cause of the collision remains under review as troopers work to determine whether speed, weather, or distraction played any role.
The ALEA Highway Patrol Division is leading the investigation and continues to gather evidence from the scene. Troopers are interviewing witnesses, examining both vehicles, and reviewing roadway data to piece together the sequence of events. Officials have not yet released details about the driver or passengers in the second vehicle, and it remains unclear whether anyone else was injured.
Local authorities are urging drivers to remember the importance of seat belt use, even for short trips. “A seat belt is one of the simplest and most effective ways to save a life,” ALEA officials emphasized in a statement. They also reminded motorists to remain alert, obey speed limits, and avoid distractions — critical steps in preventing tragedies like this.
The loss of Joshua Strozier has deeply affected both his family and the greater Lauderdale County community. Friends and loved ones describe him as a kind and energetic young man whose life was cut tragically short. As investigators continue their work, residents are reflecting on the importance of safe driving habits — a reminder that every decision behind the wheel can make the difference between life and loss.
