Kevin A. Arita-Alvarado Killed in Birmingham Pedestrian A...

Q: What evidence do police look for in hit-and-run cases like the one on Green Springs Highway?

In hit-and-run investigations, police typically search for vehicle debris, surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras, and witness accounts. Even small fragments of plastic or paint chips can help identify the make, model, and year of the striking vehicle.

Q: How does the 2:00 a.m. time of the collision affect the investigation?

The early morning timing of the accident on Green Springs Highway at 2:00 a.m. can reduce the number of potential witnesses and limit available street lighting for surveillance cameras. However, less traffic might also mean clearer footage from any cameras that were operating.

Kevin A. Arita-Alvarado pedestrian accident on Green Springs Highway, Birmingham, Alabama

The crash occurred on Green Springs Highway at Red Mountain Terrace.

Kevin A. Arita-Alvarado, 20, of Center Point, was struck by a vehicle that left the scene in a hit-and-run on Green Springs Highway at Red Mountain Terrace in Birmingham, Alabama, according to the Jefferson County Coroner's Office. The collision occurred around 2:00 a.m. Sunday. He was pronounced dead at the scene around 2:32 a.m. Birmingham police continue to investigate the circumstances of the crash.

The hit-and-run death of Kevin A. Arita-Alvarado on Green Springs Highway highlights the complex nature of pedestrian accidents involving a fleeing driver. Birmingham police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the 2:00 a.m. Sunday collision. Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, discussed the behavior of drivers in such incidents. "Most people don't realize that last-mile delivery vans are often driven by less experienced workers under extreme time pressure," Bond said. "Telematics data from these fleets can show if a driver's phone was being used."

The absence of an immediate suspect vehicle following the hit-and-run on Red Mountain Terrace presents specific challenges for investigators.

What evidence do police look for in hit-and-run cases like the one on Green Springs Highway?

How does the 2:00 a.m. time of the collision affect the investigation?

Alabama wrongful death statute

Under Ala. Code § 6-5-410, surviving family members of a person killed in a traffic collision may file a wrongful death action in Alabama. The state applies contributory negligence (one of only 4 states) when determining liability. The statute of limitations for wrongful death claims is 2 years from the date of death.

Recoverable damages under Alabama's wrongful death statute may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship and consortium, funeral and burial expenses, and the decedent's pre-death pain and suffering. Alabama law designates specific parties — typically a surviving spouse, children, or parents — as eligible to bring a wrongful death action.

National Legal Analyst Stefano Formica of Bond Legal noted that "When any road accident turns fatal, the state's 'wrongful death' laws provide the framework for how the case is handled.