The tight‑knit community of McCalla, Alabama is reeling after the tragic loss of 19‑year‑old Adrian Derandre’ Hunter, who died Wednesday morning in a violent crash on Interstate 459 South near the U.S. Highway 31 exit in Hoover. According to the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office, the accident was reported at about 11:36 a.m. and involved multiple vehicles.
Investigators say Hunter’s vehicle overturned after contact with another vehicle traveling southbound on I‑459. Emergency responders from the Hoover Police and Fire Departments arrived quickly and transported both drivers to UAB Hospital. Sadly, despite lifesaving efforts, Hunter was pronounced dead at 12:19 p.m. at the hospital. The condition of the other driver has not been publicly disclosed.
Hoover Police Department Captain Keith Czeskleba confirmed that the crash reconstruction team is reviewing roadway evidence, vehicle damage and possible surveillance footage in an attempt to determine exactly how the collision occurred.
In McCalla, friends and neighbors are gathering in grief, sharing memories of Hunter as a warm‑hearted young man with ambition and a smile that lit up any room. “He had such a good spirit,” one friend posted on social media. “It doesn’t feel real that he’s gone.” The outpouring of flowers and candles outside his family’s home reflects just how deeply he was loved.
Plans for a community vigil are underway as local leaders urge residents to extend support to the Hunter family during this unimaginable time. The loss has sparked a wave of heartbreak across the region, as people reflect on the fragility of life and the void left behind when someone so full of promise is gone too soon.
The Hoover Police Department’s Traffic Division is asking anyone who witnessed the crash or captured dash‑cam or surveillance footage to come forward. Investigators say every piece of evidence could be crucial in piecing together the events that led to this outcome.
As McCalla mourns one of its own, Adrian’s memory remains vibrant: his laughter, his warmth, his love for life. While no words can ease the pain of the family or the community, the hope is that by coming together, honoring his legacy, and keeping his spirit alive, they will find a path through grief toward healing.