“To know him, was to experience him,” family speaks about loved one killed in ATV crash
ENTERPRISE, Ala. (WDHN) — The death of Jesse Howell, who was killed in an ATV accident one week ago, has left a huge gap in his family, especially for his mother and little sister.
They say he had a huge personality.
“It has broken our hearts beyond anything we can ever speak words about our emotion is very raw,” says Katie Gulledge, his sister.
Howell’s mother says her son and his passenger Deja Mathis had almost made it home until their ATV crashed at the intersection of Highway 85 and County Road 45 in Bellwood shortly before midnight.
The passenger was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries unfortunately Howell didn’t make it out of the crash alive.
State troopers say the two were not wearing seatbelts.
“The vehicles they were in those buggies are not made for asphalt and I think that the biggest mistake they made, alcohol was involved and just the combination and you always think you’re invincible until it happens and it did that night,” says Genny Stewart.
The family says to know Howell was an experience. He was a family-first man who loved children and had a huge heart for people.
“He is not any kind of person you just meet, even if you met him crossing the street or you have been knowing him for 20 years, you have some kind of crazy story with Jesse,” Gulledge said.
“He was an amazing tree trimmer he did some jobs that people tell me about that were phenomenal he had his own business and started working for a company in Louisiana and the funny thing is he was scared of heights,” Stewart said.
His mother says he loved being outside he had a heart for animals as well.
“He loved bringing home strays I have three of them in my house now that he brought home,” Stewart said.
Because of his love for animals, especially strays, his family is asking for donations in Howell’s honor to the SOS animal shelter in Enterprise.
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