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

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.

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.

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