Early on Friday morning, a collision on U.S. Highway 43 in southern Alabama left two families shattered and a community stunned. At about 7:15 a.m., a head-on crash occurred roughly five miles south of Linden, Alabama in Marengo County, Alabama, claiming the lives of two drivers—one of them a juvenile.
Among the victims was 53-year-old Lashandra S. Bell of Gainesville. According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), she was behind the wheel of a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta when the collision occurred. Her vehicle came into head-on contact with a 2006 Lexus ES330, driven by an 18-year-old from Mobile. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene.
Friends and neighbors remember Lashandra Bell as someone whose warmth and generosity made a real mark in her community. Taking time out for others seemed to come naturally to her—whether cheering on her children, lending a hand, or brightening someone’s day with a smile. Her sudden passing leaves behind a loving mother, friend and neighbor whose presence will be deeply missed.
The other driver, though only identified so far as an 18-year-old male from Mobile, was described by classmates and family as full of ambition and energy—someone whose future seemed wide open. While his name has not yet been publicly confirmed, the sense of loss among those who knew him is heavy. The crash robbed him of a life still unfolding and his loved ones of months and years that should have been.
Emergency responders from the Marengo County Sheriff’s Office and ALEA troopers arrived quickly, blocking the roadway for several hours while they conducted their investigation. The crash site was near the 111 mile-marker of U.S. 43. As of now, investigators say the cause remains under review and further details such as speed, road conditions and driver actions have not been released.
Local residents are still grappling with the impact of this tragedy. In small communities like these, the ripple effects are immediate—schools, churches, neighbors all feel a sudden void. In both Gainesville and Mobile, and across Marengo County, thoughts are turning to the families of the two victims. As people remember Lashandra and the young man, many are offering support, setting up meals, and gathering to share memories—and tears.
Friday’s tragedy serves as a stark reminder of how fragile life can be, especially on rural stretches of highway where high speeds and unexpected moments can turn deadly in an instant. While investigations continue, the families are left to begin healing and honoring the memories of their loved ones. And though the details may still come, what remains is a shared grief and a community determined to remember two lives taken far too soon.
May Lashandra S. Bell and the young driver rest in peace—may their memories live on in the hearts of those who loved them.
