TUSCUMBIA — A quiet Friday night turned into heartbreak for a North Alabama community when 19‑year‑old Leslee James Edward Weaver lost his life in a single‑vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 72. The truck Weaver was driving veered off the road, hit a ditch, flipped over and threw him from the car, authorities say.
It happened just before 8 p.m. on January 23 near the 21‑mile marker, about a mile west of Tuscumbia. Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Highway Patrol Division said Weaver was behind the wheel of a 2013 Nissan Altima when it left the pavement and overturned.
Emergency crews rushed Weaver to Helen Keller Hospital in nearby Sheffield, but he didn’t survive. Alabama troopers confirmed he was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the car in the crash.
Friends and family are remembering Weaver not as a statistic but as a young man with a whole life ahead of him. At just 19, his dreams and plans will never be realized, leaving loved ones grappling with grief that’s hard to put into words. Those who knew him speak of his spirit, his laughter, and the plans they shared for the future.
The stretch of U.S. 72 where the crash occurred is a heavily traveled road through Colbert County that has seen its share of serious wrecks. It’s a reminder of how quickly life can change on rural highways that connect tight‑knit communities.
As the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency continues its investigation into what caused the car to leave the road, troopers have not released specifics about speed, weather or other factors. No other vehicles were involved in the crash, and no charges are expected at this time.
In the days since the crash, neighbors have left flowers and notes at impromptu memorials near the site. Community members are sharing stories about Weaver’s kindness and energy, trying to find comfort in memories as they mourn.
He was a son, a friend, a young man with a bright smile, and now his absence reverberates through the hearts of those who loved him best. In Tuscumbia and beyond, the loss of Leslee James Edward Weaver is felt deeply — a stark reminder that every life matters, and every moment on the road demands our full attention.
Rest in peace, Leslee — you are missed.
