MONTGOMERY, Montgomery County, Ala., Sept. 28, 2026 — A Goodwill employee was struck by a car while crossing Air Base Boulevard on Saturday, September 26, and the driver fled the scene, according to the Montgomery Police Department. The employee was taken to a hospital and has since been released.
The man was reportedly walking to catch a city bus, a commute he makes daily, when he was hit while crossing the roadway. Goodwill of Central Alabama said he was crossing at a signal and had the right of way.
"Our employee was abiding by the law, and he was crossing when he was supposed to," said Taylor Dunn, public relations director for Goodwill of Central Alabama. "This car just ran right into him, and instead of stopping, it was a hit-and-run."
The employee suffered bruises, cuts, and soreness but was not severely hurt, according to Dunn. He has asked not to be identified publicly, and police have not released his name.
Montgomery police are still searching for the driver and the vehicle involved. Anyone with information has been asked to contact the department. Goodwill leaders separately said they want to work with city officials on adding a marked crosswalk or other safety measures near the intersection, which currently has none.
We wish those injured a full recovery.
How Investigators Piece Together a Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Case
A hit-and-run pedestrian crash starts as a scene investigation, even without a driver in custody. Officers document skid marks, debris, paint transfer, and any damage left behind, then look for surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras that might have captured the vehicle. Witness accounts, including the injured pedestrian's own description once he or she is able to give one, are compared against the physical evidence.
Identifying a fleeing driver can take time because it depends on pulling together small pieces: a partial plate number, a paint color, a dent pattern that might match a body shop repair later on. Detectives often circulate vehicle descriptions to patrol units and the public before making an arrest, and cases can stay open for weeks while tips come in.
Even after a driver is identified, police typically withhold names until charges are filed and, in cases involving the injured party, until that person has agreed to be named or the formal notification process is complete. That is also why full crash reports, including any citations, are often not released right away. It is a deliberate pace, not a stalled one.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 7,314 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the right of way at a crosswalk?
In most states, including Alabama, a pedestrian crossing within a marked or unmarked crosswalk with the signal has the right of way, and drivers are required to yield.
What can drivers do to avoid hitting a pedestrian?
Slowing down near intersections, scanning both sides of the road before turning, and avoiding phone use while driving all reduce the risk of missing a person on foot.
What injuries are common in pedestrian crashes?
Pedestrians struck by vehicles often suffer broken bones, head injuries, and soft-tissue damage like bruising and lacerations. Severity depends heavily on vehicle speed at impact.
What usually causes pedestrian accidents?
Distracted driving, failure to yield at crossings, poor lighting, and a lack of marked crosswalks or signals are frequent factors cited in pedestrian crash data.
What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Crash in Montgomery, AL
If you or someone nearby is struck by a vehicle, call 911 right away and stay as still as possible until paramedics arrive, even if injuries seem minor at first. Adrenaline can mask pain, and some injuries, like internal bruising or concussions, show up hours later.
Try to note anything you can about the vehicle: color, approximate make, direction of travel, or a partial plate number. If bystanders saw it happen, ask for their contact information before they leave, since witness accounts matter a lot in hit-and-run cases.
Follow up with a doctor even after discharge from the hospital, and keep records of all treatments. Filing a report with Montgomery police, or confirming one was filed on your behalf, helps keep the case active while investigators work to identify the driver.
