Prosecutors Allege Marshonda Whitaker Helped Alex Kristopher Kirksey Flee California
Los Angeles County prosecutors have charged a 42-year-old woman with helping the suspected driver in a deadly Santa Monica hit-and-run evade arrest, escalating the case that left two pedestrians dead and two others seriously injured.
Marshonda Lajune Whitaker faces one felony count of accessory after the fact, accused of aiding Alex Kristopher Kirksey, 38, after the Oct. 24 collision on Wilshire Boulevard. Investigators say Whitaker knew Kirksey had allegedly committed gross vehicular manslaughter and felony hit-and-run and assisted him as he left California in the days following the crash.
Kirksey was located in Chicago, taken into custody, and extradited to Los Angeles County, where he has pleaded not guilty to charges that include vehicular manslaughter, felony hit-and-run causing injury, and reckless driving.
Whitaker was arrested in Santa Monica on Nov. 6. She pleaded not guilty at arraignment; bail was set at $25,000. If convicted, she faces up to three years in state prison.
A preliminary hearing setting for both defendants is scheduled for Dec. 3 in Department 31 of the Airport Courthouse. Deputy District Attorney Katherine Burgermyer of the Airport Branch Office is prosecuting. The Santa Monica Police Department continues to investigate.
Anyone with information is asked to contact SMPD Investigator Lantz Lewis at (310) 458-2201 ext. 5311, or the Watch Commander at (310) 458-8427. Anonymous tips may be submitted through LA Regional Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 or lacrimestoppers.org.
