Piedmont High School Senior Killed in Cleburne County Crash

PIEDMONT — A 17-year-old Piedmont resident who was later identified by Piedmont High School as a senior at the school was killed Wednesday afternoon in a single-vehicle crash in Cleburne County, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA).

Troopers said the crash occurred at approximately 2:29 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, on Cleburne County Road 70 near Cleburne County Road 230, about eight miles east of the Piedmont city limits.

Authorities reported that the 17-year-old juvenile from Piedmont was fatally injured when the 2016 Chevrolet Trax in which the teen was a passenger left the roadway, overturned, and struck several trees. The teen was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, was ejected from the vehicle, and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The driver of the vehicle, a 16-year-old juvenile from Piedmont, was injured and transported to a local area hospital for medical treatment.

ALEA did not release the name of the juvenile victim, but Piedmont High School later identified the student as senior Emma Weatherbee.

Following the accident, Piedmont High School released a statement expressing grief over the loss.

“With heavy hearts, we share the tragic news that one of our students, senior Emma Weatherbee, has passed away. We love Ms. April, Eli, and all of Emma’s family, and ask that you keep them in your prayers,” the statement read.

“As a school community, we grieve together and support one another. Counseling services and additional support will be available this week for students.

“We ask that you keep Emma’s family and our school community in your prayers as we mourn this tremendous loss.”

The crash remains under investigation by Troopers with ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division. No additional information has been released.