Man arrested for DUI, charged with murder in Hueytown hit-and-run

HUEYTOWN, Ala. ( WIAT ) — A Fairfield man is charged with murder in a hit-and-run case, according to the Hueytown Police Department.

Around midnight on Tuesday, an HPD officer observed a vehicle traveling on the wrong side of the road near the intersection of Allison Bonnett Memorial Drive and Brooklane Drive. The driver, 70-year-old Walter Lee Ellison, was arrested for a DUI during a traffic stop and transported to the Hueytown City Jail.

Officers noted that there was “fresh damage” to the front of Ellison’s car. However, other officers searched the area and were unable to find anything that matched the damage.

Later that day, around 6:15 a.m., HPD responded to reports of a person down near the intersection of Hueytown Road and Walker Avenue. Upon arrival, officers found Gabriel Demorris Edwards, 18, dead off the roadway.

Evidence showed that Edwards had been walking north on Hueytown Road when he was struck by a vehicle also traveling north. Further evidence showed that Edwards was struck at around 11:30 p.m. on Monday.

Numerous car parts were observed lying near Edwards. According to HPD, evidence at the scene matched the car from the DUI arrest earlier that day.

After the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office – Bessemer Division reviewed the case, Ellison was charged with murder, felony leaving the scene of an accident with injuries and driving under the influence in relation to Edwards’ death.

Ellison is currently being held in the Hueytown City Jail. He is awaiting transfer to the Jefferson County Jail where he will be held without bond.

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