Butler County, Ala. — A quiet stretch of Alabama 10 turned into the scene of heartbreak Monday afternoon when 21-year-old Joseph Alexander Halford of Davie, Florida, lost his life in a violent collision that also left two others injured. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency says the crash happened at about 4:20 p.m. near the 110-mile marker, roughly eight miles west of Greenville, leaving friends and family struggling to make sense of it all.
Troopers with ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division say the two-vehicle wreck occurred when a 2017 Hyundai Accent, carrying Halford as a passenger, slammed head-on into a 2008 Lexus ES350. The force of the crash was so severe that Halford, who wasn’t wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene. His loss has left a powerful void among those who knew him as a warm, joyful presence.
The driver of the Hyundai, a 16-year-old juvenile whose name hasn’t been released, was seriously hurt and taken to a local hospital for treatment. In the Lexus, 21-year-old Timothy Terill Beasley Jr., of Camden, suffered injuries serious enough to require an airlift to Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery, authorities said.
Friends and relatives remember Halford not for the grim statistics of a crash report, but for his keen sense of humor and the light he brought into every room. At just 21, he was described as someone who “always made everyone laugh,” a young man deeply loved by his community in Davie and beyond. The suddenness of his passing has sent shockwaves through social media tributes and late-night conversations among grieving classmates and loved ones.
The stretch of Alabama 10 where the crash occurred is a rural highway with little traffic at that hour, and troopers are urging drivers to slow down and exercise caution, especially during the early winter months when daylight fades early and roads can be unpredictable. The exact cause of the collision remains under investigation, with ALEA saying it’s too early to determine contributing factors.
In the quiet moments since the news broke, relatives have gathered to honor Halford’s memory, sharing stories about his favorite music, jokes he told, and the big plans he had for the future. His sudden death is a stark reminder of how quickly life can change, and how the loss of a young life can ripple through families and communities alike.
As the investigation continues, neighbors are holding candlelight vigils and community members are rallying around the Halford family, offering support, food, and shared grief. There’s talk of scholarship funds and celebrations of Halford’s life in the weeks ahead — efforts to turn tragedy into something that might one day comfort those who loved him most.
