From Tribune staff reports
MOUNTAIN BROOK — A Mountain Brook mother has been arrested and booked into the Jefferson County Jail in connection to a crash that killed her 10-year-old daughter.
Sarah Kathleen Cumbest Mullican, 44, of Mountain Brook was arrested for reckless manslaughter and felony attempting to elude. She was booked into jail at 6:50 a.m. on Friday and released on bonds totaling $45,000 about an hour later.
“In the days and weeks following Annaabelle Mullican’s death, Mountain Brook Police Detectives worked diligently to gather and review all facts related to this case,” Mountain Brook Police Chief Jaye Loggins said on Jan. 6 when warrants were obtained.
MBPD detectives presented their case to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office on Wednesday.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred on July 22, 2023. Mountain Brook police responded to a report of a wreck at 5:27 p.m. in the 3400 block of Cherokee Road on that day.
According to Loggins, an MBPD officer observed and SUV traveling at a high rate of speed on Old Leeds Road. The officer tried to make a traffic stop as the SUV after it had turned onto Cherokee Road and was continuing at a high rate of speed.
The officer said he observed two items being thrown from the SUV, items Loggins said were recovered as evidence. He then saw the vehicle leave the roadway, strike a tree and roll over on the roof before coming to a stop down an embankment.
All three occupants of the SUV, including Sarah Mullican and 10-year-old Annabelle Mullican, were transported to local hospitals. Annabelle Mullican was pronounced dead at Children’s Hospital at 6:20 p.m.