A 35-year-old man has been indicted on manslaughter charges after allegedly running a red light and crashing into an SUV, killing a mother and three of her children in northern Alabama.
Garrett Cole Nix is accused of driving a Ford F-150 through a red light on April 11 at the intersection of State Roads 157 and 24 in Moulton. The collision killed 33-year-old Ashley Dawn Hagood and her children Bryant Christopher Ballew, 13, and 7-year-old twins Bryleigh Grace Pledger and Brynleigh Nell Pledger. A fourth child, 10-year-old Bentley Pledger, survived.
Nix faces four counts of manslaughter along with charges of first-degree assault, driving under the influence, speeding and running a red light. A Lawrence County grand jury indicted him last week, and he surrendered to authorities on Monday before posting bond.
Nix's attorney, James Sturdivant, told local media there is no evidence of impairment and described the incident as an accident that does not belong in criminal court. Authorities determined the traffic light was functioning properly and had been red for a significant period when Nix entered the intersection.
The victims' family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit. Nix is scheduled to appear in court on August 25.