A suspect has been charged in a hit-and-run that killed an 84-year-old Birmingham man who was in his wheelchair and on his way home from church.
Sammus Hikeem Strickland, 27, is charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death or injury. Killed was Erwin Ellis Curtis.
The crash happened at 10:58 a.m. Sunday, June 16, on Messer Airport Highway at Georgia Road. That was Father’s Day.
Curtis was crossing the street when a vehicle struck him. The driver – identified in court documents as Strickland – fled the scene.
Curtis was taken by ambulance to UAB Hospital where he died at 8:15 a.m. Friday, July 5.
Erwin Ellis Curtis(Special to AL.com)
“At 84 years old, Uncle Erwin was a pillar of strength, love, and wisdom for us all,’’ said his niece, Ilsa Curtis. “His presence filled our lives with joy, guidance, and cherished memories.”
Strickland was booked into the Jefferson County Jail at 2:41 p.m. Thursday and released at 4:58 p.m. after posting a $15,000 bond.
His first court date is set for August.
Erwin called Ilsa from the scene of the wreck that Sunday. He didn’t want to go to the hospital, but she insisted.
Erwin had sustained bleeding on the brain and was put into a medically-induced coma. Before the crash, the uncle and niece spoke every Sunday by phone – Ilsa lives in New Jersey – and that was the last day they ever talked.
“He was a family-oriented man – everyone in the family catered to him because he was our patriarch,’’ Ilsa said. “He was our legacy.”
Erwin worked all his life and retired from Coca-Cola.
“You don’t just throw someone like away,’’ she said of the hit-and-run.
“Though we grieve his loss deeply, we find solace in knowing that Uncle Erwin is now in the arms of the Lord,’’ she said. “His spirit will live on in each of us, guiding us with his wisdom and love. We trust in God’s plan, even when it’s hard to understand, and we lean on Him for strength during this difficult time.”
