Man Charged With Murder After Austin Peay Player William Hardrick Dies In Alabama Crash

William Hardrick, a 22-year-old senior defensive back for Austin Peay who previously played at Mississippi State and Miami (Ohio), tragically died in a car crash on Interstate 65 in Alabama. John Walter McAdams was charged with murder, DUI, and leaving the scene of the accident, with reports indicating he had a blood alcohol content of 0.09 percent during sobriety testing. Hardrick’s car flipped multiple times after being struck, leading to his immediate death at the scene. Austin Peay’s athletic director Gerald Harrison and head coach Jeff Faris expressed deep sorrow, highlighting Hardrick’s positive impact on and off the field and pledging support for his family and teammates. The incident has prompted an outpouring of grief from the Austin Peay community while raising awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence. Authorities continue investigating the case as the sports community mourns the loss of a promising athlete.