Corey Dewayne Dawson, 31, was discovered about 10:15 p.m. at Goldwire Street and First Street Southwest.
South Precinct officers were called to the scene on a report of a traffic accident. They found Dawson's vehicle had a struck a tree, and he was outside the vehicle, said police spokesman Sgt. Johnny Williams Jr.
Dawson was taken to UAB Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. It was later discovered he had been shot before the accident.