The crash occurred early Monday morning on Chilton County Road 37, approximately two miles southwest of Clanton, Alabama

• The crash occurred early Monday morning on Chilton County Road 37, approximately two miles southwest of Clanton, Alabama. https://www.wsfa.com

• Jessica Fortenberry was a passenger in a van which left the roadway and struck a tree. https://www.wsfa.com

• She was ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. https://www.wsfa.com

• The driver of the vehicle sustained injuries and was taken to UAB Hospital for treatment. https://www.wsfa.com

• The crash is under investigation by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. https://www.wsfa.com

What remains unclear

• The specific cause of the van leaving the roadway (e.g., speed, mechanical failure, driver error, weather) has not been disclosed yet.

• Whether the driver or the vehicle had any contributing factors (seatbelt use, impairment, distraction) has not been publicly detailed.

• Other details such as whether there were other passengers, whether the van was traveling at high speed, or whether the tree was the only object struck are not specified.

• There is no indication in the public report yet of any charges or formal findings.

Community and human impact

• The community in Billingsley and the surrounding Chilton County area is understandably shaken by the loss of a life in a single-vehicle crash involving someone from their own community.

• For the family of Jessica Fortenberry, this is a sudden, tragic loss—with no clear answers yet.

• Incidents like this remind us of the importance of roadway safety in less populated or rural areas (where single-vehicle crashes often occur) and the potential for severe outcomes when vehicles leave the roadway and strike fixed objects like trees.

• Local emergency services, the investigating agency, and potentially the county community support networks may be called upon to assist the family and residents.