Hit And Run Suspect Arrested, 5-Year-Old Victim Identified

BIRMINGHAM, AL — A man police say was involved in a hit and run incident that killed a 5-year-old child has been arrested. Dustin Cody Martin, 28, of Gardendale was arrested and charged with murder and assault.

The incident occurred April 1, when police said the suspect hit a vehicle occupied by four people, and a child in the car, identified as 5-year-old Kameryrnn Elise Young, died at the hospital after the incident. Witnesses said Martin fled the scene after the crash.

Sgt. Rod Mauldin of the Birmingham Police Department said the incident began when officers from East Precinct attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Interstate-59 Northbound after observing a white truck traveling erratically at a high rate of speed and endangering traveling motorists.

Mauldin said Martin refused to yield and exited the interstate. Officers lost sight of the suspect's vehicle, but shortly afterwards discovered the traffic accident at the intersection of Parkway East and Springville Road.

Mauldin said that that at approximately 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, Martin's vehicle was recovered by the Fultondale Police Department within the city limits of Fultondale.

After receiving additional leads, the Birmingham Police Department took Martin into custody at 224 Daniel Payne Drive Wednesday night.

Martin is being held at Jefferson County Jail on $450,000 bond.