An Alabama teen was killed and his brother is fighting for his life in UAB Hospital after a single-vehicle wreck Saturday night in Talladega County, authorities said Monday.
Preston Bowen, 17, of Childersburg, was killed when the 2005 Dodge Ram he was driving left the road and struck a tree around 10:42 p.m. Saturday on Coleman Bridge Road near Childersburg, said Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Senior Trooper Justin O’Neal and Preston’s family.
Preston, who graduated from Sylacauga High School in May, was pronounced dead at the scene.
His 19-year-old brother, identified by the family as Tanner Bowen, was taken to UAB Hospital, O’Neal said.
“On Saturday night our family was forever changed when two of our sons were involved in a serious car accident,” their parents, Melissa and Robert Bowen, said in a statement posted to the Sylacauga City Schools’ Facebook page.
“That night we lost our beloved son, Preston, who just graduated from Sylacauga High School in May. Our oldest son, Tanner (Class of 2021) and home on leave from the military, was critically injured with a very long road ahead for recovery. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers for our family during this difficult time,” the statement continued.
Robert Bowen created a GoFundMe to cover Preston’s funeral expenses and Taner Bowen’s medical bills.
“In an instant our family has been changed forever,” he wrote.
More than $20,000 has been donated as of early Monday evening.
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