Mother of 10-year-old Mtn. Brook girl killed in crash booked on manslaughter charge, released on bond

MOUNTAIN BROOK, Ala. (WBRC) - UPDATE: 9/15/23: A Mountain Brook woman was booked into the Jefferson County Jail Friday morning in a connection with a deadly crash.

Sarah Kathleen Cumbest Mullican is charged with Reckless Manslaughter and Felony Attempting to Elude in the July 22, 2023 crash that killed her daughter, Annabelle Mullican.

Sarah Kathleen Cumbest Mullican posted bond and was released from jail at 7:56 a.m.

UPDATE 9/6/23: Police say arrest warrants have been issued for Sarah Kathleen Cumbest Mullican, of Mountain Brook, for reckless manslaughter and felony attempting to elude following a deadly crash that killed a child.

“This is such a tragic event with so many far reaching collateral consequences on so many levels to so many people.

We are arranging for her surrender on the warrants that were issued late today.

I hope this tragedy causes others to pause and reflect about how life can turn about quickly.

Please keep Annabelles family, friends and the community affected by this event in your thoughts and prayers‚” stated Mullican’s attorney Tommy Spina.

The Jefferson County Coroner has released the name of the child killed in a crash in Mountain Brook Saturday evening, July 22.

The victim has been identified as 10-year-old Annabelle Mullican. The crash happened around 5:27 p.m. in the 3400 block of Cherokee Road in Mountain Brook.

Mountain Brook Police say Annabelle’s seatbelt was not locked in place, indicating that she was not wearing her seatbelt at the time of the accident. Annabelle had a major head injury and was unresponsive at the scene. She was transported to Children’s of Alabama by the Mountain Brook Fire Department where she was pronounced deceased.

The driver of the vehicle had several abrasions on her arms and legs. She was treated and released by the Mountain Brook Fire Department. Police say another child was in the vehicle and appeared to have been wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. The child had abrasions on her arms and legs and was transported to Children’s of Alabama by the Rocky Ridge Fire Department.

Moments before the crash happened, the vehicle had been seen traveling at a high rate of speed on Old Leeds Road, according to Mountain Brook Police.

WBRC obtained a police report that shows the driver of a Toyota Highlander was speeding and swerving on Old Leeds Road. Police say they clocked the vehicle at 47 mph in a 30 mph zone.

The report states an officer tried to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver kept traveling on Cherokee Road and was seen throwing a cup and another object out of the vehicle. The officer states the driver then spun, overturned, and crashed.

Police say they are still investigating the crash and will present the evidence for possible criminal charges when that’s over.

We will update this story as more information becomes available.

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