By Joshua Huff, sports editor
BIRMINGHAM — The Birmingham Police Department announced on Friday, April 3, that a Gardendale man was arrested in connection to Wednesday’s hit-and-run that took the life of a five-year-old girl and critically injured her father.
The suspect has been identified as Dustin Cody Martin, 28, of Gardendale.
According to authorities, investigators have charged Martin with reckless murder and assault in the first degree. He is in custody at the Birmingham City Jail and will be transported to the Jefferson County Jail. His bonds total $450,000.
Martin’s arrest comes after his white Ford dually 350 slammed into a vehicle carrying the Young family at the intersection of Parkway East and Old Springville Road on Wednesday, April 1. The wreck took the life of Kamerynn Young, 5, and critically injured her father, Elijah, a veteran who served multiple combat tours. As of Wednesday afternoon, Elijah was in an induced coma at UAB Hospital, where he is in stable condition. The mother, Breana, was unhurt and her 3-year-old daughter, Isabella, was treated and released from Children’s of Alabama on Wednesday evening.
Martin fled the scene of the crash. His truck was located at around 3:45 p.m. abandoned at Stoney Brook Apartments in Fultondale.
A GoFundMe account has been set up for the family stricken by the tragedy.
“Please help these folks out by donating what ever you are able,” Richard Cruse, the GoFundMe page’s organizer wrote. “They need it and deserve it. They are the best, most hard-working folks I know and my heart just cries for them and their family right now. I cannot imagine what they are going through.”
Police said the incident began when Birmingham officers attempted to pull over Martin on Interstate I-59. Instead of stopping, he fled and exited the interstate onto Roebuck Parkway. Police lost sight of the truck, and shortly thereafter, drove up to the scene of the accident and immediately rendered aid.