Two Dead in Seconds—One Was Just 16 and Sitting in the Passenger Seat

In a split second, tragedy struck on Highway 12 near Harris Road in Lowndes County Thursday morning, leaving two lives lost and an entire community in shock. At 11:00 a.m., two cars collided violently, claiming the lives of 16-year-old Braylan Dale, a Columbus High freshman, and 32-year-old Breman Shea Woolbright, the driver of the second vehicle.

Braylan, who was sitting in the passenger seat, was pronounced dead at the scene. Despite the rapid response of first responders, there was nothing they could do to save him. Woolbright, on the other hand, was rushed to Baptist Golden Triangle Hospital but was declared dead upon arrival, his injuries too severe to survive.

The crash was so intense that both vehicles were completely totaled, and Highway 12 was shut down for hours as investigators worked to understand what had happened. With no clear answers yet, Mississippi Highway Patrol is still trying to determine the cause of the collision, and whether road conditions played a role. They’re urging anyone who witnessed the crash to come forward with information.