Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Bachelorette Contestant's Crash: Rescuer and Victim Clash

4/1/2026

34 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Brad Ledford, a Season 22 The Bachelorette contestant, says he fell asleep driving from Florida to North Carolina in 2014, causing a crash that paralyzed Madison Cawthorn, the former United States Representative.
Ledford says he rescued Cawthorn from the burning car.
Cawthorn says Ledford abandoned him after the crash.
The incident has resurfaced amid The Bachelorette Season 22 controversies.

1 of 1

Story summary

Brad Ledford, a Season 22 The Bachelorette contestant, says he fell asleep driving from Florida to North Carolina in 2014, causing a crash that paralyzed Madison Cawthorn, the former United States Representative.
Ledford says he rescued Cawthorn from the burning car.
Cawthorn says Ledford abandoned him after the crash.
The incident has resurfaced amid The Bachelorette Season 22 controversies.