The afternoon of Wednesday, November 12 became one of unimaginable heartbreak for the communities of Tuscaloosa and Lauderdale County when 26‑year‑old Joshua D. Strozier lost his life in a collision that came without warning. According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), the incident occurred around 1:12 p.m. on Alabama Highway 20 at the 7‑mile marker — roughly 11 miles west of Florence.
Strozier was behind the wheel of his 2012 Chevrolet Silverado when his vehicle collided head‑on with a 2017 John Deere S690 combine. Reporters say that he was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators from ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division are currently gathering witness accounts, examining the crash site and reviewing roadway and vehicle conditions to determine what contributed to the tragedy.
Friends and family remember Joshua as a young man full of energy and promise — someone whose laughter, ambition and caring spirit lit up rooms. While details of his life and future dreams are being shared in quiet moments of remembrance, this sudden loss has left an ache across both communities: the one where he lived and the one nearby where lives now feel the absence of his presence.
Those who knew him say he cared deeply for his neighbors, took time to listen and lift others up, and had hopes that stretched far beyond his years. In the midst of pain, his loved ones are now leaning on each other — holding family dinners, sharing stories of his kindness, and remembering the things that made him who he was.
Local leaders and first‑responders have issued a sober reminder in light of the crash: every trip — even a familiar stretch of road — carries risk. Wearing seat belts, obeying speed limits, and staying alert behind the wheel can make all the difference. In this accident, the lack of a seat belt is highlighted as a factor that could have altered the result.
As the community mourns, ALEA has asked anyone with information regarding the crash — especially those who may have witnessed the collision or seen the vehicles involved — to come forward. Though the combiner’s driver was not reported injured, many questions remain about visibility, road conditions and the interaction of farm equipment and typical traffic in that area.
In the weeks ahead, memorials and gatherings will honor Joshua’s life — the friendships he forged, the dreams he chased, and the impact he made in his short time. His passing is a stark reminder of the fragility of life, the importance of every moment with loved ones, and how one afternoon can change everything.
Now, those left behind in Tuscaloosa and Lauderdale County are holding on to the ways they can keep Joshua’s memory alive: sharing his smile, living the kindness he embodied, and supporting one another through loss. In the quiet that follows this storm, the heartache lingers — and with it, the hope that no young life is taken too soon without everything being done to keep it safe.
