(Bessemer / Jefferson County, Alabama — March 16, 2026) – A 33-year-old man and a 3-year-old child were tragically struck and killed by a vehicle on Eastern Valley Road in Bessemer on Sunday evening, authorities report. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the double-fatality crash, which claimed the lives of two Bessemer residents.
Key Takeaways
- A man and a 3-year-old child were struck and killed by a vehicle on Eastern Valley Road in Bessemer, Alabama, on the evening of Sunday, March 15, 2026.
- The victims have been identified as 33-year-old Orlin Dariel-Rodriguez and 3-year-old Jared Ramos, both of Bessemer.
- Authorities say both victims were in the roadway when they were struck. The driver remained at the scene and was cooperative with investigators.
- The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department is leading the investigation into the crash.
- Official crash reports can be requested from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) once the investigation is complete.
- Fob James Law Firm offers free consultations to families affected by pedestrian fatalities, including wrongful death cases, with no fees unless recovery occurs.
What Happened: Two Pedestrians Struck on Eastern Valley Road
The crash occurred just before 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, 2026, on Eastern Valley Road in Bessemer. According to WBRC, authorities confirmed that two people — a 33-year-old man and a 3-year-old child — were in the road when they were both struck by a vehicle.
The victims were identified as Orlin Dariel-Rodriguez, 33, and Jared Ramos, age 3, both residents of Bessemer. Both were pronounced dead following the crash. The driver reportedly remained at the scene and cooperated with responding deputies.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department is handling the investigation. No information regarding the identity of the driver or the type of vehicle involved had been publicly released as of Monday, March 16.
Traffic and Community Impact
Eastern Valley Road is a well-traveled corridor in the Bessemer area that connects residential neighborhoods to commercial zones and major thoroughfares in western Jefferson County. Pedestrian activity along this roadway, particularly near intersections and in lower-light conditions, presents serious safety concerns.
The loss of both an adult and a toddler in the same crash represents a devastating blow to their family and to the broader Birmingham metro community. Crashes of this nature underscore the need for adequate pedestrian infrastructure and driver vigilance in areas where foot traffic is present.
What Investigators Will Examine
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department will lead the investigation, and ALEA may also be involved given the fatal nature of the crash. Typical investigative focus areas will include:
- Vehicle speed at the time of impact and whether it was appropriate for conditions
- Lighting conditions — the crash occurred just before 8:00 p.m., during evening hours when visibility may have been reduced
- Whether the victims were in a marked crosswalk, intersection, or an undesignated portion of the roadway
- Driver conduct — impairment, distraction, or failure to maintain a proper lookout
- Physical evidence at the scene, including skid marks, vehicle damage patterns, and point of impact
- Witness statements and any available surveillance or dashcam footage
- Whether any roadway design or signage deficiencies contributed to the crash
An official crash report will be compiled by investigators and made available through ALEA once the investigation concludes.
How to Contact ALEA for Official Crash Reports
Official crash reports are important for insurance claims, legal analysis, and verifying what occurred during the collision. After an investigation, you can request the report from ALEA:
Crash Report Request Options
📍 Mail/In-Person: Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Records / Crash Reports 301 S. Ripley Street Montgomery, AL 36104
📞 Phone: (334) 517-2800
🌐 Online: Crash reports are often available via the Alabama Interactive portal once finalized and released.
Crash reports typically take 7–10 business days to become available, though timing can vary based on investigation complexity.
Legal Considerations After a Fatal Pedestrian Accident
When a pedestrian — especially a child — is killed by a vehicle in Alabama, the legal questions that follow are serious and time-sensitive. Surviving family members may have the right to pursue claims under Alabama’s wrongful death statute, which allows for damages when a death is caused by the wrongful act, omission, or negligence of another party.
Key legal considerations in pedestrian fatality cases include:
- Driver negligence — car accident claims in Alabama hinge on proving that the driver failed to exercise reasonable care, whether through excessive speed, distraction, or failure to yield to pedestrians
- Roadway liability — whether hazardous road conditions, inadequate signage, or poor lighting contributed to the crash
- Insurance coverage — identifying all available policies, including the driver’s auto liability coverage
- Wrongful death damages — Alabama’s wrongful death statute focuses on punishment rather than compensatory damages, making early legal counsel especially important
The presence of a young child among the victims makes this case particularly significant. The law takes seriously the responsibility of drivers to exercise care when pedestrians are present, and families in this situation deserve thorough legal representation.
Fob James Law Firm — Here to Help After Pedestrian Fatalities
At Fob James Law Firm, our pedestrian accident attorneys and wrongful death lawyers have extensive experience representing Alabama families after devastating losses. We serve clients throughout the Birmingham area, including Bessemer and all of Jefferson County. We offer:
✅ Free, no-obligation case reviews ✅ Thorough investigation and evidence preservation from day one ✅ Representation on a contingency-fee basis — no fees unless you recover
If your family was affected by this crash or any fatal pedestrian accident in Alabama, contact us today for a free consultation: 📞 (205) 407-6009
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Fob James, IV
Fob James obtained a B.S., in software engineering from Auburn University and then continued his education by getting his J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law. After working for a large national firm for several years, Fob found that his passion was fighting for individuals who have been seriously injured or wronged by others. Fob believes that the jury is the great equalizer to the power and influence that large corporations have in society. Many of Fob’s cases are high profile and have been featured in, among others: Bloomberg News, PlanAdvisor, AL.com, PlanSponsor, InsuranceJournal, and BusinessInsider. For his work in obtaining numerous multi-million dollar outcomes for his clients, Fob has been recognized by: National Trial Lawyers Top 100, SuperLawyers Rising Star (2020-2025), Birmingham Business Journal Who’s Who in Law (2023-2025), and TrustAnalytica – Top Personal Injury Lawyers in Alabama.