A Texas family is grappling with a devastating loss. Autumn Ales, died in a car crash that injured her dad and sister. The crash was reportedly entirely accidental, and a split-second decision was the reason. Now, the family is trying to cope with the loss of a young child who still had so much life left in her and trying to pick up the pieces to put their lives back together after the loss of their sole vehicle.
According to a media release from the Texas Department of Public Safety, the crash happened just after 1:30 a.m. October 3, 2025, the Abilene Reporter News reported. Shawn Cleve Ales, a 39-year-old dad, was driving with his 8- and 9-year-old daughters in the car at the time.
The 9-year-old passenger told investigators that the younger child had unbuckled her seat belt while they were in the car. Ales told investigators he encountered a wild animal in the road, which caused him to veer to the right to keep from hitting it, causing him to drive off the road.
Ales’ Hyundai rolled into a private driveway and then rolled over, ejecting the 8-year-old from the vehicle. She was declared dead at the scene. The father and his older daughter were treated for minor injuries at Hendrick Medical Center in Brownwood.
Brownwood Independent School District was the first to publicly identify the 8-year-old as Autumn Ales, Brownwood News reported.
According to a statement put out by the school district via the ParentSquare app, Autumn Ales was a student at Coggin Elementary. The statement added that school counselors and other support staff had directly reached out to the elementary school’s second grade students and their families to help them cope with the loss.
“We are deeply heartbroken by this loss and extend our sincerest condolences to her parents, family, and friends,” the statement reads.
A GoFundMe account has been set up for the family by Jana Closs, who identified herself as a cousin. Closs described Autumn Ales as a girl who was “full of life, laughter, joy, and had a personality out of this world.” She also shared that the girl had recently celebrated a birthday and was the youngest of six siblings.
“Unfortunately, their only car was completely destroyed in the accident, with only liability insurance,” Closs wrote, adding that the car was a “total loss.” She explained that the vehicle was the family’s only mode of transportation and that the accident has left them in an impossible situation.
“With a family as large as this, there’s no room for saving. There’s nothing put back for a rainy day or for emergency situations,” she shared on the fundraising page. It seems that most of the money raised will go to replacing the car.
