A man has been charged with murder following the fatal incident involving 22-year-old Austin Peay defensive back William Hardrick. Reportedly, John McAdams also faces charges for driving under the influence and leaving the scene of the accident.
McAdams had a blood alcohol content of 0.09% during a sobriety test, according to reports.
In a tweet on Wednesday, Austin Peay announced Hardrick’s passing.
Gerald Harrison, the director of Austin Peay Athletics, expressed deep sadness over the loss. “We are truly saddened by the passing of William Hardrick and the Austin Peay family,” he said.
He further mentioned, “Our thoughts and prayers are with Hardrick’s family today. We will do anything we can to support his friends, family, and teammates.” Hardrick’s tragic demise resulted from an I-65 car accident in Limestone County, Alabama.
Limestone County Coroner Mike West shared that Hardrick’s mother noted her son was returning home from school at the time of the incident.
The crash involved the car rolling over several times, and Hardrick was pronounced dead at the scene.
Originally from Adamsville, Alabama, Hardrick played in Mississippi from 2021 to 2022 before joining Austin Peay following a stint at Miami (Ohio) in 2023-2024.
As reported by ESPN, he participated in 18 games over the last two seasons, amassing 14 solo tackles and four pass deflections this past season.
Austin Peay Football coach Jeff Farris expressed heartbreak over losing Hardrick, describing him as an exceptional young man who made a significant impact both on and off the field. “We lament this tragic loss with his family,” he stated.
