Following a tragic hit-and-run in Santa Monica that claimed the lives of two pedestrians and left two others seriously injured, authorities have apprehended 38-year-old Alex Kristopher Earl Kirksey in Chicago.
The arrest, reported by NBC Los Angeles, comes nearly two weeks after the October 24 collision on Wilshire Boulevard, which sent shockwaves through the Santa Monica community and left the victims’ families in mourning.
Santa Monica police announced on Wednesday that through coordinated investigative efforts, Kirksey was located and taken into custody near a Chicago transit center, where he had reportedly been attempting to evade law enforcement.
Officials described the suspect as having taken “deliberate” measures to avoid detection, including fleeing California shortly after the collision. These efforts included abandoning the scene of the crash and attempting to obscure his digital and physical footprint.
According to a statement from the Santa Monica Police Department, the vehicle used in the fatal collision was rented through an online platform, though not directly by Kirksey himself.
Investigators were able to gather crucial evidence, including electronic records, communication logs, and contact information, which ultimately led to search warrants being issued and pinpointed the suspect’s whereabouts in Chicago.
Law enforcement emphasized that it was a combination of detailed detective work and inter-agency collaboration that culminated in the arrest. Kirksey has now been formally charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter, two counts of felony hit-and-run resulting in injury, and one count of reckless driving.
In addition to Kirksey, the individual who originally rented the vehicle is under investigation for potential involvement in assisting his flight from California. Reports indicate that she visited the crash site following the collision and subsequently aided Kirksey’s departure from the state.
“The extent of that individual’s involvement remains under investigation and will be evaluated by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office,” police officials stated.
The collision claimed the lives of Brad Lipshy, a prominent CEO in the event planning industry, and 61-year-old Maura Cohen, leaving the Santa Monica community grappling with the shock and grief caused by this senseless incident.
Interim Police Chief Darrick Jacob praised the diligence and professionalism of his investigative team, highlighting the importance of their work in bringing the suspect into custody. “While nothing can undo the pain this tragedy caused, this marks an important step toward justice for the victims and their families,” Chief Jacob remarked.
The Santa Monica Police Department has extended its condolences to the victims’ families and continues to urge anyone with additional information regarding the case to come forward.
Kirksey was extradited from Illinois to California and is currently in the custody of Santa Monica authorities as the investigation continues. Law enforcement officials are also working closely with prosecutors to ensure all charges are thoroughly examined and to determine whether further legal action is warranted against those who may have assisted Kirksey in evading justice.
This arrest underscores the persistent efforts of law enforcement to bring accountability in cases of fatal vehicular crimes, as well as the ongoing commitment to protecting communities from reckless and dangerous behavior on the road.
The city of Santa Monica, still reeling from the October 24 tragedy, looks to this development as a critical step toward closure for the families and the community at large.