A tragic Sunday afternoon crash in Shelby County has claimed the life of 16-year-old William James “James” Clowdus, leaving a community in mourning and several others injured. According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the Shelby County Coroner’s Office, the fatal collision occurred around 2:10 p.m. along Alabama 119 near the 26-mile marker, just south of Hoover.
Authorities say Clowdus was driving a 2013 Honda Civic when it collided with a Lexus RX SUV operated by 64-year-old Michael C. Rice of Birmingham. Following the initial impact, the Civic left the roadway, crashing into a fence and a nearby greenhouse. Investigators reported that Clowdus was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and was ejected from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 14-year-old passenger in the Civic sustained injuries and was transported to a local hospital, though their condition has not been publicly disclosed. Meanwhile, Michael Rice and his passenger, 67-year-old Dawn M. Rice, were also injured and taken to UAB Hospital for treatment.
Emergency crews responded quickly, but the severity of the crash led to significant traffic disruptions as authorities worked to investigate and clear the scene. Officials have not yet confirmed contributing factors such as speed or impairment.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Highway Patrol Division continues to investigate. As the community grieves, the loss of a young life serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly tragedy can unfold.
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