Authorities are investigating a deadly crash that claimed the life of a 21-year-old woman early Sunday morning. The victim, identified as Majala M. West of Tuscumbia, died when the vehicle she was riding in overturned along Alabama Highway 184, about three miles east of Muscle Shoals.
According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), the crash occurred around 2:30 a.m. when a 2025 Ford Bronco left the roadway, struck a culvert, and hit a guide wire before overturning. Investigators said West, who was a passenger, was not wearing a seat belt at the time and was ejected from the vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Bronco, whose identity has not yet been released, sustained injuries and was taken to Helen Keller Hospital in Sheffield for treatment. ALEA troopers are investigating the circumstances that caused the vehicle to veer off the road, examining factors such as speed, road conditions, and driver fatigue.
Officials emphasized that West’s death highlights the life-saving importance of seat belts. “Wearing a seat belt can mean the difference between life and death in a crash,” ALEA stated, urging both drivers and passengers to buckle up every time they travel. Law enforcement officers continue to stress that unrestrained occupants face a far higher risk of fatal injuries during rollovers.
Friends and community members have expressed heartbreak over West’s passing, remembering her as a bright and spirited young woman whose life ended too soon. Many have taken to social media to share condolences and memories, calling for greater awareness of safe driving habits, especially during early morning hours when visibility is reduced.
