Josh Ballew opens up about the tragic crash in Moulton that claimed the lives of a woman and two siblings. Two other children were critically injured.

HARTSELLE, Ala — A father whose 13-year-old son died in Saturday’s deadly two-vehicle crash in Moulton is speaking out, offering updates on the two children still fighting for their lives and correcting information that was initially released about the wreck.

Josh Ballew, father of Bryant Ballew, sat down with FOX54 Monday to share the latest on the surviving children — 10-year-old Bentley Pledger and 7-year-old Bryleigh Pledger — who were airlifted to Children’s of Alabama following the crash.

Brynleigh’s sister, Brynleigh Pledger, died from injuries sustained in the wreck.

In a sit-down with FOX54, Josh Ballew described the last 48 hours as an “absolute mess” and a “blur of confusion and pain.” While the community sees the headlines, Ballew says he sees a life that was just beginning.

Ballew remembered his son, Bryant, as a teenager full of energy who loved his dirt bike and his friends, but prioritized his role as a leader for his younger brothers and sisters.

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

Beyond his family life, Ballew shared that Bryant was deeply rooted in his faith. Just days before the tragedy, Bryant spent time in his classroom at Hartselle handing out small “baby Jesus” figurines to his classmates as a mission to share hope.

“That was one of the last things my son did on this earth was spread Jesus,” Ballew said.

The family had earlier in the day provided new information in a post to social media.

Brynleigh Pledger

Brynleigh’s condition remains critical and has worsened since the weekend. The swelling in her brain has increased, and doctors performed a procedure Sunday to insert a line directly into her brain in an attempt to reduce the pressure — though Ballew said the procedure creates additional complications for her small body.

Brynleigh remains on life support. The family says they do not expect much change in her condition anytime soon and that she faces a very long road to recovery, if she recovers at all.

“We are trying to keep her comfortable but also help with her healing at the same time,” the family wrote in a Monday morning Facebook post.

Bentley Pledger

Ten-year-old Bentley is awake, alert, and breathing on his own, Ballew told FOX54. He is coherent, but in significant pain — both physically and emotionally.

Family members have broken the news to him about the deaths of his mother and siblings. According to his family, Bentley doesn’t remember the crash at all — he was with his mother and siblings, and then he woke up and they were gone.

“He’s afraid to go to sleep. He’s just dealing with pain from the inside out,” the family wrote.

Ashley Hagood was the Mother of all of the Children in the Car

Ballew confirmed to FOX54 that Ashley Hagood, 33, who died en route to Huntsville Hospital, was the mother of all the children who were in the vehicle — Bryant Ballew, 13; Brynleigh Pledger, 7; Bentley Pledger, 10; and Bryleigh Pledger, 7.

Credit: Family-provided
Bryleigh Pledger

Confusion in the Aftermath, Father Says

Ballew also raised concerns about the accuracy of information initially released by officials shortly after the wreck, telling FOX54 that the coroner’s office got a number of details wrong — including, he said, misidentifying some of the victims.

A Message to Parents

As the community continues to rally in prayer for those still in the hospital, Ballew says he is leaning on that same faith to find the strength. He left the North Alabama community with a simple, powerful plea:

“Hug your kids a little tighter. Enjoy every second that you possibly can with them, because we always think there’s tomorrow… but we never know.”

A Note on Donations

Miranda and Tyler Pledger are asking the public to stop donating to the GoFundMe that was set up for their family. Anyone who has shared that link is asked to remove it.

Those wishing to support Josh Ballew and his family financially can do so through his church. Donations can be made at stayfreeministries.net.

Community Mourns Together

A community prayer service was scheduled for Monday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. in the Hartselle High School Auditorium, led by local ministers. Grief counselors and support staff were to be on site.

Hartselle City Schools also deployed counselors and mental health staff at all campuses Monday to assist students and staff processing the tragedy.

The crash happened around 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of Alabama Hwy. 157 and Highway 24 in Moulton, when a car carrying five occupants was struck by a Ford F-150 pickup truck. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.