Austin Peay Football Star William Hardrick’s Parents Dion And Irvin Share Heartfelt Memories After DUI Crash Claims His Life
William was set to turn 23 in August 2026.
May 8, 2026
This article was last updated by Manoj Gadtaula on May 8, 2026
William Hardrick, a 22-year-old football player from Austin Peay State University, tragically lost his life in a DUI crash on I-65 South in Limestone County, Alabama, on May 6, 2026.
Dion Bryant and Irvin Stone, the parents of a young man who passed away, spoke honestly in a seven-minute video about their sadness and their memories of him.
They described their son as a talented athlete and a role model who positively impacted many lives.
When tragedy struck, William was driving home from Austin Peay, less than an hour from his family in Birmingham.
He was going to add a star to his driver’s license, which meant a lot to him, while also preparing for the upcoming football season.
According to court documents, John McAdams, an intoxicated driver with a blood alcohol content of 0.09%, caused chaos on I-65 South.
McAdams allegedly struck eight cars, including William’s, and fled the scene. William’s vehicle lost control, hit a fence, and flipped multiple times.
Despite wearing his seatbelt and doing everything right, the impact was too severe.
The Limestone County coroner confirmed that William suffered a fatal blow to the head, causing severe brain injuries.
Dion, his mother, recounted the details with a heavy heart.
“All we know is he was headed home. An 18-wheeler, the guy was intoxicated. He ran through eight cars and kept going. I don’t know if my son tried to dodge the situation, but he lost control, hit the rail, and flipped over.”
ViaShe hasn’t spoken to the state trooper who investigated the scene, but the coroner confirmed William’s efforts to stay safe.
“He had his seatbelt on. The car flipping that many times… that’s what caused the blow to the head.”
Born In Adamsville, Alabama, He Excelled As A Wide Receiver And Defensive Back At Minor High School
His talent earned him a spot at , where he played one game as a freshman in 2026.
But his time there revealed a hidden challenge: he had been playing with a broken shoulder for two years.
Irvin, his father, said.
“He came out of high school, played two years with a broken shoulder,They didn’t want to take a risk on him at Mississippi State, so we brought him back home,”
ViaWilliam underwent surgery with Dr. Dumas in Birmingham and worked tirelessly to recover.
He transferred to where he played 18 games over two seasons, recording 32 tackles, forcing a fumble, and breaking up five passes.
He showed great athleticism and strong instincts, but craved a bigger role.
In 2026, he found a home at Austin Peay, where he succeeded as a leader and was preparing for his first full season with the Governors. Irvin said-:
“He got his weight right, took on a leadership role. He was excited about this season and his grades. He was getting ready to graduate college.”
ViaWilliam’s coaches and teammates echoed his parents’ pride. Austin Peay head coach Jeff Faris called him “an exceptional young man” who “made everyone around him better.”
APSU’s athletic director, Gerald Harrison, said,
“All of our thoughts and prayers are with the Hardrick Family today. We will do everything we can to support his friends, family, and teammates at this time.”
ViaBeyond the field, William was a beacon of light. William Hardrick’s Parents described him as a gentleman, a hard worker, and a role model for younger kids.
Irvin said-:
“William was loved by his family,He was that role model for the kids. I coached him in youth ball, taught him how to be a gentleman. I was excited to see where he was going to go.”
ViaWilliam dreamed of playing in the NFL, but he was practical, too.
If the NFL didn’t work out, he planned to stay close to football as a trainer or coach.
Irvin mentioned that William was determined about his desires and was a fighter, both on and off the field.
Despite facing challenges while growing up, he believed these obstacles would strengthen him.
One memory stood out for Irvin.
As William prepared to leave for college, Irvin encouraged him to follow instructions to achieve greatness, which he did by teaching his peers resilience in the face of obstacles.
The Pain Of Losing William Is Raw And Overwhelming For His Parents
Dion said she is devastated and finding it hard to wrap her head around it, as it is really taking a toll on her right now.
Irvin, clinging to his strong faith yet unable to fully grasp it, admitted that it feels like a dream he needs to wake up from as he wonders, “Why William?“
The Hardrick family is leaning on their community for support.
William’s uncle, speaking briefly in the video, summed up the family’s feelings:
“I was just proud of everything he had done and where he was going. He never let me down at nothing.”
Via ViaWilliam’s story is one of courage, from playing through a broken shoulder to overcoming setbacks and chasing his dreams.
His parents remember his sense of humor, strong will, and refusal to settle. He was a funny character and a giver. He was strong-minded.
William Hardrick’s Parents believe he has finally found his place at Austin Peay.
Dion said he felt like somebody really wanted him and was excited about representing them.
The Hardrick family honors William’s legacy as a determined young man who inspired others and made his parents proud every day.
Rest In Peace, William
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