Solomon Stipati, 20, of Fultondale, Alabama, died the evening of September 14, 2023, after a head-on crash on Ellard Road. Investigators said the collision occurred about 8:12 p.m. in the 900 block when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions struck head-on. Stipati’s vehicle was forced off the roadway to the edge of the woods and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The other driver was injured but survived. Fultondale police investigated the cause and circumstances at the crash site.

Months after the crash the case moved into the justice system. Takiyha Sherry Denise Murphy, 26, of Birmingham was identified as the driver charged with criminally negligent homicide in connection with Stipati’s death; authorities described the case as involving impairment and alleged Murphy was under the influence at the time of the crash. If anyone witnessed the collision or has information about that stretch of Ellard Road that night, please come forward.