Elisha ‘E.J.’ Jones III, an Alabama native and football star passed away on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at an untimely age of 18 leaving his family, friends and loved ones devastated.
According to reports, former Baldwin County High School football star E.J. Jones lost his life in a head-on collision on Alabama Highway 59 near the 54-mile marker, about two miles south of Stockton in Baldwin County.
The two-vehicle crash, which occurred around 1:15 p.m. on Saturday, claimed the lives of E.J. Jones and the passenger traveling with him.
E.J. who was pursuing his bachelor’s degree and football career at West Alabama was home for the weekend to visit family.
Furthermore, Jones and the passenger were traveling in a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze when it collided head-on with a 2021 Lexus RX 350 driven by a 15-year-old juvenile.
Following the initial impact, the Cruze caught fire and was completely engulfed in flames.
Both E.J. Jones and the passenger were pronounced dead at the scene, while the 15-year-old driver of the Lexus was transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
Chantelle L. McPherson, 51, of Spanish Fort, who was a passenger in the Lexus, was injured in the crash and airlifted to USA Health University Hospital in Mobile for treatment.
While the official reports hasn’t revealed the other deceased name, some social media post indicates that it was E.J. Jones III father, E.J. Jones Jr.
One of the family member took to her social media and wrote:
“It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the loss of my beloved cousins, EJ Jones Jr. and Elisha Jones III. 💔 To know them was to love them — their smiles could light up any room. Our family is heartbroken by this unimaginable grief, but we find strength in our faith and trust in God during this painful time. WE LOVE YALL COUSINSSSS 😢💕💕Please keep the Jones and Tunstall families in your prayers as we endure this deep sorrow.”
Latora Tunstall
Likewise, many of Elisha ‘E.J.’ Jones III friends and loved ones are paying tribute and extending their heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time.
The Late E.J. Jones Began His Collegiate Football Career at West Alabama Earlier This Month Before His Tragic Passing
E.J. Jones who graduated from Baldwin County High School in May, 2025 began his collegiate football career at West Alabama earlier this month before the tragic accident claimed his life.
The 6 feet Stockton, Alabama native was in his freshman year at UWA and playing as a defensive lineman after a remarkable three-year tenure with Baldwin County High School football team Tigers.
While at high school, E.J. played defensive end and made 162 total tackles and was honorably mention as Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA) 6A All-State team last season.
Baldwin County High School took to their official social media page to pay tribute to their former football star and wrote:
“Yesterday we lost one of the greatest men to ever wear the black and orange. E.J. Jones embodied what it meant to be a Tiger. He was a hardworking student athlete who strived to be great. Most of all, he was an excellent person with an infectious personality. It was hard to be around E.J. and not smile. E.J. was a natural leader both on and off the field. He will be greatly missed.”
BCHS Tigers Football
Similarly, his former coach Andrew Davis described late E.J. as “light to everyone.“
“He was a light to everyone, his smile was infectious … how he would hug you. He was nice to everyone. Everyone was his friend. He always would tell people he loved them, and he meant it.”
Al.com
In Case You Didn’t Know
- E.J. Jones III’s family has yet to provide details about his funeral and memorial services.
- The late E.J. received scholarships from the OJ French Memorial Foundation months prior to his tragic demise.
