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The Santa Monica Police Department has made an arrest in connection with the fatal hit-and-run collision that occurred on Friday, October 24, 2025, in the 1300 block of Wilshire Boulevard, which resulted in the deaths of two pedestrians and serious injuries to two others.
Following the collision, the Major Accident Response Team (MART) assumed the lead on the investigation. Given the seriousness of the incident and the suspect’s efforts to evade arrest, detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) were brought in to assist.
Through extensive investigative work, detectives identified Alex Kristopher Earl Kirksey, born May 22, 1987, as the responsible driver. He has been charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office with vehicular manslaughter (192(c)(1) PC), felony hit-and-run resulting in injury (20001(b)(2) VC), and reckless driving (23103(a) VC). Evidence revealed that the involved vehicle had been rented through an online platform and that Kirksey took deliberate steps to avoid detection after the crash, including leaving the state in the days that followed.
The investigation also revealed that the person who rented the vehicle traveled to the scene after the collision, sought information about what occurred, and later assisted the suspect in leaving the state. The extent of that individual’s involvement remains under investigation and will be evaluated by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
These findings supported the issuance of search warrants, during which detectives recovered additional evidence — including contact information and electronic records — that helped determine Kirksey’s location.
Working with law enforcement partners in the Midwest, SMPD detectives tracked Kirksey to Chicago, Illinois. With the assistance of the Chicago Police Department, he was taken into custody at or near a transit center as he appeared to be attempting to flee further. Kirksey has since been extradited from Illinois and is currently in the custody of the Santa Monica Police Department.
“This arrest reflects the persistence and professionalism of our investigators, who worked tirelessly to identify and locate those responsible for this senseless act,” said Interim Chief Darrick Jacob. “While nothing can undo the pain this tragedy caused, this marks an important step toward justice for the victims and their families.”
The Santa Monica Police Department extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and all those affected by this tragedy.
“We are united with law enforcement in seeking justice for Maura Cohen and Brad Lipshy, who were 61 years old when they were tragically killed simply exiting a restaurant, and the two other victims who suffered critical injuries,” said Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman. “I’m thankful to the Santa Monica Police Department for their thorough work on this ongoing investigation and our prosecutors who worked around the clock with investigators to ensure the defendant would be arrested and face his day in court. We have a message for criminals: You will not escape the law. Our office will continue to advocate for the victims as the case progresses through the criminal justice system.”
Anyone with additional information related to this case is urged to contact Traffic Investigator Lantz Lewis at (310) 458-2201 ext. 5311
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