Alan Jackson's Son-in-Law Died at 28 after an Accident – What Happened That Tragic Day

• Alan Jackson's son-in-law died at 28 following a devastating accident.
• His wife Mattie was left reeling from the loss and grief, but she was able to find joy and love again.
• Delve into the details of that fateful day, the love story between the young couple, and the aftermath of the tragedy.

In 2015, author, philanthropist, and podcaster Mattie Jackson, the eldest daughter of country music legend Alan Jackson, met Samuel Benton "Ben" Selecman. Their paths crossed at the University of Tennessee and formed a bond that would forever tie them together.

Their love story began in December 2015 at the wedding of Ben's younger brother. This event was their third date and marked the beginning of their journey together. Mattie commemorated their love anniversary with a heartfelt Instagram post a year later, expressing her joy at the prospect of planning their wedding.

She also wished Ben's brother and sister-in-law a happy anniversary in her post, writing, "A huge happy 1st anniversary @morgselecman & @cselecman82 and happy rest of our lives @bselecman21." In another post, she was excited about her upcoming nuptials.

On October 7, 2017, Mattie and Ben exchanged vows in what Mattie fondly referred to as a "fairytale wedding." Their love took them to the picturesque landscapes of South Africa for their honeymoon, a testament to their adventurous spirits.

However, less than a year into their marriage, tragedy struck. On September 12, 2018, Ben succumbed to severe traumatic head injuries from a fall. The day started as a joyful gathering on Mattie's father's boat, with family and friends basking in the Florida sun for the Labor Day holiday.

But it ended in unimaginable sorrow when Ben slipped on the wet dock and fell. Initially, it seemed like Ben might have a concussion, and his loved ones rushed him to the ER, but his condition rapidly deteriorated. There, the doctors decided to induce a coma to control the swelling in his brain.

The doctors were going to wake him up on the eleventh day after the accident, which brought a glimmer of hope. Mattie prepared herself for a long road to recovery, filled with physical therapy and visits to a brain trauma clinic. However, their hopes were shattered when a blood clot caused multiple strokes and severe brain damage.

The rapid turn of events left Mattie in shock. Less than 24 hours later, Ben's heart started to fail. At 28, Mattie found herself a widow, grappling with a loss she could hardly comprehend. Yet, in her grief, she found a purpose — to use her experience to help others feel less alone in their struggles and thus began her journey as an author.

Ben, an East Tennessee native, earned his law degree from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and was serving as an Assistant D.A. in the Nashville-Davidson County District Attorney's Office at the time of his death.

His promising career led District Attorney Glenn Funk to describe him as a "rising star." Sadly, his life was cut short. Mattie reflected on their short-lived marital bliss three years after the tragic incident. She said, "We were still in the honeymoon phase of our life. Ben was joyful and cheerful, and he was friends with everyone."

In an interview, Mattie shared her perspective on life and suffering. She doesn't see her pain as a divine punishment, but rather as a consequence of living in an imperfect world. She said, "I don't believe God chose to inflict this pain on me… bad things happen, and docks get wet, and people fall. That's the way that it is."

On October 7, 2018, what would have been their first anniversary, Mattie shared pictures of their happy times on Instagram. Her heartfelt caption was a tribute to Ben's love and kindness, and a thank you to those who had supported her through her loss. Part of it read, "Sudden and shattering loss ushers pain I pray no one of any age should have to endure."

Three years later, on what would have been their fourth anniversary, Mattie posted a video compilation of their wedding pictures. In her caption, she expressed her love and a promise to celebrate with Ben again one day.

She wrote, "Four years ago today remains the best day of my life yet. I am forever thankful that you chose me, loved me so fiercely, and had 28 years to show the world what living an abundant life looks like."

In February 2023, she appeared on "The Tamron Hall Show" to share how she found joy amidst her loss. She said, "I had never really had to come face to face with heartbreak and hopelessness and despair and all those things that you inevitably feel with a loss like this. I needed to know that our marriage and Ben's death would mean something."

Her book "Lemons on Friday" serves as a reminder that it's okay to acknowledge the pain in life, but also that it's not the end of the story. In her book, Mattie documents her journey through grief. Two months before Ben's untimely death, Mattie had begun working with widows, a role she continues to fulfill.

Mattie's involvement with widows and her philanthropic endeavors further illustrate her commitment to transforming her pain into a force for good, offering support and understanding to others walking a similar path. In an unexpected twist of fate, the young widow found love again.

She met Connor, one of her best friend's brother-in-law, and their relationship blossomed from a casual happy hour into a deep bond. Mattie shared her journey of rediscovering love in a social media post, expressing her gratitude for Connor's empathy, intentionality, and encouragement.

In May 2023, Mattie and Connor tied the knot. Less than a year later, on February 9, 2024, Mattie announced they were expecting a baby boy due in June. She expressed anticipation for the joy and celebration 2024 would bring, potentially surpassing the redemption-filled year of 2023.

Mattie Jackson Selecman's journey is a story of love, loss, resilience, and redemption. She has been able to deal with her grief and found a way to move forward. Although she found love again and is starting a family soon, she still carries the memories of her loved ones into the future.