Antonio Tremayne Weldon Jr., a 24-year-old man from Alabama, has been accused of causing two separate fatal hit-and-run crashes, just a few months apart. Both incidents reportedly involved alcohol, and authorities are working to piece together the details. Weldon is currently being held in Jefferson County Jail facing two counts of reckless manslaughter.
The First Tragedy: Braylen Hardy’s Death
The first crash occurred on October 26, 2024, when 13-year-old Braylen Hardy was struck by a car while sitting on his ATV in front of his home. Hardy had been enjoying a ride on his ATV, a favorite activity he often shared with his father. According to Hardy’s uncle, Billy Fagness, the boy had just parked his ATV when a reckless driver jumped the curb and hit him.
Witnesses reported that shots had been fired in the area shortly before the crash, and a vehicle speeding away from the scene was involved in Hardy’s death. Birmingham police said Weldon, who allegedly caused the accident, ran from the vehicle but was caught a few blocks away. At the time, Weldon was already facing charges from an earlier incident, including attempting to elude police, reckless endangerment, and receiving stolen property.
Sadly, Braylen Hardy was critically injured and placed on a ventilator. After three days in the hospital, he passed away from his injuries. Birmingham Police Department later interrogated Weldon, but he was initially released. However, after presenting evidence to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, Weldon was officially charged on July 8, 2025.
A Second Tragedy: Michelle Lynn Dickerson’s Death
A few months later, tragedy struck again. On March 29, 2025, 34-year-old Michelle Lynn Dickerson was riding her bicycle when she was struck and killed by a vehicle in Birmingham. She died the following day from her injuries. Weldon was arrested for this incident in June 2025. It is not clear whether the same vehicle was involved in both crashes.
Authorities believe alcohol played a role in both fatal accidents. The Hardy family is struggling to come to terms with the loss of Braylen, with his uncle describing the situation as a never-ending nightmare.
The Legal Process
Weldon remains in jail, with a bond set at $30,000. As of now, both the Hardy and Dickerson families are left to mourn, and the legal process continues to unfold.
In these tragic incidents, the families are left asking how such heartbreaking events could happen, with the added complexity of alcohol possibly playing a role in both crashes.
