Soldier was former Baker football player, team leader

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - A hit-and-run in North Carolina claimed the life of a local soldier.

Twenty-year-old Bradley Powell was killed early Saturday morning, December 8 while walking at Fort Bragg. Bradley had only been stationed at Ft. Bragg for a couple of days.

Baker High School principal Clem Richardson didn't have a hard time reminiscing Bradley Powell. The 2011 graduate stood out during his time at the school.

Richardson said, "Bradley was the type of young man that you would want your son to grow up and how you'd want him to turn out to be."

Powell's mother said Bradley briefly attended the University of South Alabama and then surprised his family with the decision to join the military.

As an Army private, he moved to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina recently. At around 1:40 a.m. Saturday, he was hit by a car while walking on base.

A Ft. Bragg spokesperson said a civilian, Sarah Rogers of Fayetteville, N.C., was later stopped at a sobriety checkpoint and questioned by Army Criminal Investigators.

She was released to her family and remains a person of interest.

Fort Bragg military lawyers are coordinating with the U.S. District Attorney’s Office to determine the way forward since the incident occurred on a federal reservation and involved an active duty soldier.

Back at his old high school, the news stunned his former linebacker coach Steve Normand.

"It rips you apart inside,” said Normand.

The coach said he wishes all his players had the same passion that Bradley had.

Normand said, "When he got here, he devoted himself 100 percent to the program. Great kid in the weight room. 'Yes sir, no sir,' just did anything we asked him to do, just gave his all every time."

Bradley was a leader on the Baker team, and was chosen to work the Senior Bowl, where he set up equipment and even spent time hanging out with the future NFL stars.

Richardson said, "What he didn't have in athletic ability he made up in heart and desire and want to. Those type of young men are a pleasure to coach, and a pleasure to teach and a pleasure to work with."

With Bradley's hard work-ethic it was no shock to these school officials that he joined the army, but it is a shock that this young life ended so soon.

Powell's family wanted to say they are thankful for the wonderful support Mobile has given them. They're making funeral arrangements and they expect Powell’s body to return to the area soon.