Michael Dakota Hayes was remembered yesterday as a bright 25-year-old with his whole life ahead of him — a life tragically cut short when his car veered off Highway 79 in Pinson and plunged into a ravine Thursday afternoon. Local authorities in Jefferson County confirmed the accident and identified Hayes as the sole victim in the crash that has shaken the tight-knit Remlap and Pinson communities.
It was just after 3:30 p.m. when dispatchers from the Center Point Fire District received the call: a vehicle had left the roadway near the intersection of Highway 79 and Highway 151 and ended up in a steep, wooded gully. First responders — including crews from Center Point Fire, Palmerdale Fire, RAMS units, and deputies from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office — rushed to the scene, navigating rugged terrain to reach the wreckage.
When crews arrived, Hayes was trapped inside his overturned vehicle. Fire Chief Brandon Dahlen said the location was so challenging that responders had to perform both a vehicle extrication and a low-angle rope rescue to access the ravine and reach him safely. Each movement had to be carefully planned, as the embankment was steep and unforgiving.
Despite the extraordinary efforts of emergency personnel, Hayes could not be saved. He was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after responders managed to reach him. The loss was felt immediately by those on the ground, many of whom described Hayes as a young man full of promise.
At this point, investigators with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office are still piecing together what caused Hayes’ vehicle to leave the roadway. Officials have not yet released any details about weather, mechanical failure, or other potential contributing factors, and they are urging anyone with information about the moments leading up to the crash to come forward.
Locals familiar with that stretch of Highway 79 say certain sections can be tricky — with sudden curves and elevation changes that demand a driver’s full attention. While it remains unclear whether road design played a role in this tragedy, the sheriff’s traffic team is examining all relevant factors as they reconstruct the crash’s timeline.
Friends and neighbors in Remlap and Pinson have already started sharing memories of Hayes, expressing sorrow and offering support to his family. In a community where news travels fast, the reaction has been one of collective grief — and a reminder of how fragile life can be. Officials say they will release more information as it becomes available, and the investigation remains open.
