November 7, 2025: Woman Charged With Helping Driver Escape After Fatal Hit and Run in Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA, Calif. - A 42-year-old woman has been charged with aiding a 38-year-old driver who evaded police and fled California after he allegedly killed two people and seriously injured two others in a fatal hit and run in Santa Monica last month.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman and Santa Monica Interim Police Chief Darrick Jacob announced earlier this week that detectives located Alex Kristopher Kirksey in Chicago, where he was arrested and extradited back to Los Angeles County to face felony charges.

"Criminals and those who help them try to escape and evade the law will be held fully accountable for their illicit actions," District Attorney Hochman said. "I extend my deepest sympathy to the families of Maura Cohen and Brad Lipshy, beloved members of the Santa Monica community, whose lives were tragically lost, and to the two victims who were critically injured simply walking on the sidewalk. I highly commend the Santa Monica Police Department for their tremendous cross-country investigation, leading to the arrests in this case. Alongside our partners in law enforcement, we will do everything in our power to seek justice for the victims."

Kirksey (dob 5/22/87) was charged in case 25ARCF02225 on Oct. 30 with two felony counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence; two felony counts of hit and run driving resulting in death or serious injury; and one felony count of reckless driving on a highway causing injury. It is further alleged that he personally inflicted great bodily injury upon the victims and had a prior serious felony conviction.

On Oct. 24, Kirksey was allegedly driving the wrong way on Wilshire Boulevard near Euclid Avenue when he traveled through a red light before striking a curb and hitting and killing Maura Cohen and Brad Lipshy, both 61, who were exiting a sushi restaurant in the 1300 block of Wilshire Boulevard. The vehicle continued traveling down the sidewalk and struck two other pedestrians who were transported to a hospital in critical condition.

Kirksey allegedly fled the scene on foot and eventually left the state. After an extensive investigation, Santa Monica Police Department detectives tracked Kirksey to Chicago. With the assistance of the Chicago Police Department, he was taken into custody.

On Nov. 6, Kirksey pleaded not guilty at arraignment. Bail was set at $1 million.

If convicted as charged, Kirksey faces up to 26 years in state prison.

Marshonda Lajune Whitaker (dob 9/2/83) has been charged with one felony count of accessory after the fact. The complaint alleges that Whitaker, with knowledge that Kirksey committed gross vehicular manslaughter and hit and run, aided Kirksey in avoiding arrest.

If convicted as charged, Whitaker faces a maximum sentence of three years in state prison.

Whitaker was arrested in Santa Monica on Nov. 6. She was arraigned today and pleaded not guilty. Bail was set at $25,000.

A preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for both defendants on Dec. 3 in Department 31 of the Airport Courthouse.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Katherine Burgermyer of the Airport Branch Office. It remains under investigation by the Santa Monica Police Department.

Anyone with additional information related to this case is urged to contact Santa Monica Police Department Investigator Lantz Lewis at (310) 458-2201 ext. 5311, or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at (310) 458-8427.

The charges filed in this case are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.