BROOKSIDE, Ala. — A quiet weekend turned devastating for a Birmingham family after two cousins, 29‑year‑old Jarad “JP” Pruitt and 45‑year‑old Tramaine Quintell Pruitt, were killed in a head‑on crash on Interstate 22 in the early hours of Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. They had been reported missing by worried relatives before authorities confirmed the heartbreaking discovery.
Family members last saw Jarad and Tramaine around 2 a.m., leaving a local lounge in Birmingham. When they didn’t come back home, relatives began searching and calling friends, their concern growing by the minute as the night stretched into early morning. Their worst fears were realized when police located a badly burned pickup truck at mile marker 91 near Brookside on I‑22 just before 3 a.m.
Investigators say the cousins’ pickup collided head‑on with an 18‑wheeler. Emergency crews from the Forestdale Fire District and local law enforcement responded to the scene, where the wrecked vehicle was engulfed in flames and debris scattered across the highway. Fire damage was so severe that initially only one victim was spotted in the truck, but officials later confirmed a second after further examination.
Both Jarad and Tramaine were pronounced dead at the crash site. The driver of the 18‑wheeler survived with non‑life‑threatening injuries, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, which is now leading the investigation. At this time authorities haven’t released details about what caused the crash or whether factors like speed, weather or fatigue played a role.
The news sent shockwaves through the cousins’ circle of family and friends. In a social media statement shared Tuesday night, family members wrote about their grief and faith, saying they find some comfort knowing the two are now “resting” and thanking everyone for their prayers, calls and support.
Neighbors and people who knew Jarad and Tramaine described them as close, warm‑hearted cousins with strong ties to their community. Many took to social platforms to share memories, photos and messages of love, highlighting how deeply they will be missed.
Police are still asking anyone with information about the collision to come forward. As Birmingham mourns the loss of two of its own, the tragedy stands as a sober reminder of how quickly a simple night out can turn into a family’s worst nightmare.
