PELL CITY, AL – A terrifying act of road rage unfolded Wednesday night in Pell City, leaving one man injured and a young child narrowly escaping harm. Authorities have confirmed that 25-year-old Ethan Crawford of Harpersville has been arrested in connection with the shooting, which took place on U.S. Highway 231 just a half-mile from the Sonic Drive-In.
At approximately 8:00 p.m., Pell City Police responded to multiple 911 calls reporting a shooting along the busy stretch of road. When officers arrived on the scene, they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg. The victim, whose name has not yet been released, was in his vehicle with his 5-year-old son at the time of the attack.
According to investigators, an apparent altercation between two drivers escalated when Crawford allegedly pulled a firearm and fired multiple rounds into the victim’s car. One of the bullets struck the driver in the leg. In what police are calling a “miracle,” the child—who was secured in a car seat in the back—was not injured, despite bullets penetrating the area around him.
“This could’ve easily been a double or even triple tragedy,” said a spokesperson for the Pell City Police Department. “That child was just inches away from the line of fire. It’s by the grace of God that he wasn’t hit.”
After the shooting, Crawford fled the scene, prompting a rapid and coordinated law enforcement response. He was later identified and apprehended without further incident. Crawford has since been booked into the St. Clair County Jail and is facing serious charges, including:
Three counts of attempted murder
Three counts of shooting into an occupied vehicle
One count of first-degree assault
Authorities believe the confrontation began as a case of aggressive driving that quickly spiraled out of control. Police have not released details about the events leading up to the shooting but confirmed that both vehicles were traveling in the same direction on Hwy. 231 when the gunfire erupted.
“This is a sobering reminder of how dangerous road rage can become,” police said in a statement. “One moment of anger, one bad decision, and lives are forever changed.”
The victim was transported to a nearby hospital where he is expected to recover. His son was evaluated and released unharmed into the care of family members.
The investigation is ongoing, and officials are asking any witnesses who may have seen the incident or have dashcam footage to contact the Pell City Police Department.
As the community reacts to the shocking incident, many are left shaken and concerned by the rise in violent altercations stemming from road rage. Wednesday night’s shooting serves as a chilling example of just how quickly a routine drive can turn into a nightmare.
