'Bachelorette' contestant from scrapped season drove car that paralysed congressman

Brad Ledford was behind the wheel during a 2014 accident that left Madison Cawthorn partially paralysed

A contestant from the canceled season of The Bachelorette is drawing renewed attention after details resurfaced about a past car crash involving former US congressman Madison Cawthorn.

Brad Ledford, who was set to compete for Taylor Frankie Paul’s heart in Season 22, was behind the wheel during a 2014 accident that left Cawthorn partially paralysed.

At the time of the crash, Ledford was 17 and reportedly fell asleep while driving. The vehicle struck a concrete barrier while Cawthorn, then 18, was asleep with his legs on the dashboard. The accident resulted in life-altering injuries, and Cawthorn now uses a wheelchair.

Cawthorn later described the incident in a 2017 speech, claiming his friend “left me in a car to die in a fiery tomb.” Ledford has disputed that version of events, saying, “That is not at all what happened,” and adding that he “pulled him out of the car” as soon as he could.

The two did not speak for years following the crash but have since reconciled, with Ledford attending Cawthorn’s 2020 election celebration.

The revelation comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding the now-canceled Season 22 of The Bachelorette, which was pulled just days before its scheduled premiere. The decision followed a resurfaced video involving Paul in a domestic dispute with her ex-partner, prompting ABC to halt the show entirely.