Birmingham Domestic Violence Case Turns To Homicide Investigation

BIRMINGHAM, AL — A victim in a domestic violence case died Sunday, turning the case into a homicide investigation by Birmingham police. The initial incident occurred April 6.

Sgt. Rod Mauldin of the Birmingham Police Department said officers from the North Precinct responded to I-65 Southbound and Daniel Payne Drive on a call of a person struck by a vehicle. Officers arrived and discovered the victim laying in a grassy area near the freeway, according to Mauldin. Birmingham Fire and Rescue responded to the scene and transported the victim to UAB Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Sunday, detectives were notified the victim succumbed to his injuries.

Mauldin said the victim, identified as 51-year-old Quintin Martin, exited a small sedan traveling on the southbound ramp and began to walk in the opposite direction of the ramp. The vehicle then drove down the opposite direction of the ramp and struck the victim from behind. The driver of the vehicle, identified later as Patrice Lawson-Williams, left the scene.

"It appears the motive in this incident is domestic in nature," Mauldin said. "The suspect was later taken into custody."