Local News
Victims killed in predawn Jefferson County crash identified
JEFFERSON COUNTY, AL — A tragic single-vehicle crash early Sunday morning in northern Jefferson County claimed the lives of two teenagers and left six others injured, prompting an outpouring of grief and support across the community.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office on Monday identified the victims as Treylen Anderson Floyd, 18, and Tristan Drake Cox, 19.
Both young men were recent graduates of Corner High School, where they were known as student-athletes and active members of their school community.
According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the scene of the crash at approximately 2:58 a.m. on Mt. Olive Road near Partridge Loop.
The vehicle, a pickup truck carrying eight teenagers, had veered off the roadway and struck a utility pole.
Floyd and Cox were pronounced dead at the scene at 3:24 a.m.
The remaining six occupants—one male and five females, all between the ages of 16 and 19—were transported to UAB Hospital with injuries that, according to investigators, are not believed to be life-threatening.
The sheriff’s office reported that the preliminary investigation indicates the crash was a single-vehicle incident involving a loss of control, causing the truck to leave the road and impact the pole.
Authorities have not released further details regarding the cause of the crash, and the investigation remains ongoing.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the community has come together in mourning. Tributes and prayers for the victims and their families have flooded social media.
New Bethel Baptist Church shared on Facebook,
“Please join us in prayer for the families of the young people from Corner who were tragically killed and injured in an automobile accident early this morning. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this immense loss. May God’s comfort and peace surround them during this incredibly difficult time.”
On Sunday evening, HighPoint Community Church opened its sanctuary to the public, offering a space for collective prayer and reflection for the families and the broader community impacted by the loss.
Gardendale Mayor Stan Hogeland also expressed his condolences, writing,
“My heart breaks for the families of the kids and the entire Corner community. Please pray for all involved. I can’t imagine the pain.”
Support services and grief counseling are expected to be made available to students and families in the coming days as the Corner community grapples with the devastating loss of two of its young members.
Local News
Suspended Dearborn Ford worker Thomas Sabula received more than $320K after Trump flips him off
DEARBORN, Mich. — A suspended Ford Motor Company employee has become the focus of national attention after a confrontation with former President Donald Trump during a visit to a Dearborn assembly plant, prompting an outpouring of public support that has raised more than $324,000 for his family through an online fundraiser.
The worker, Thomas “TJ” Sabula, a 40-year-old United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 600 member, was placed on suspension pending an internal investigation following an exchange that occurred while Trump was touring the facility.
According to video later obtained and published by TMZ, an off-camera voice can be heard shouting “pedophile protector” at the former president, an apparent reference to the administration’s handling of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.
In the footage, Trump appears to mouth an expletive and make a hand gesture before walking away.
The Washington Post subsequently identified Sabula as the individual who made the remark.
In an interview with the newspaper, Sabula confirmed that he was suspended after the incident and said he believes the action amounts to political retaliation.
“As far as calling him out, definitely no regrets whatsoever,” Sabula told The Post. “But I am concerned about my job. I believe I’ve been targeted for political retribution for embarrassing him in front of his friends.”
Sabula, who describes himself as politically independent, said he has never voted for Trump, though he has supported Republican candidates in the past.
In the days following the incident, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to assist Sabula and his family during his suspension.
The campaign states that Sabula is “a father of two young children, a husband, and a proud UAW Local 600 line worker,” and that the funds will be used to help cover household and living expenses “during this time of uncertainty.” Donations quickly surged past $100,000, with notable contributions reportedly made by the rock band Dropkick Murphys.
Supporters have characterized Sabula’s actions as a form of protest and free expression, while others have questioned whether his conduct violated workplace policies.
Ford Motor Company and union representatives have not publicly released details regarding the status of the internal investigation or whether disciplinary action beyond the suspension is being considered.
Following his visit to the Dearborn plant, Trump went on to deliver remarks at the Detroit Economic Club, where he had last spoken in October 2024.
The incident continues to draw attention amid broader political debate, as questions remain about workplace discipline, free speech, and the role of political expression in employment settings.