By Jorge Casuso
November 6, 2025 -- The 38-year-old suspect in a deadly hit-and-run collision that killed two pedestrians in Santa Monica was arrested in Chicago last Thursday after fleeing the State.
Alex Kristopher Earl Kirksey, who "is known to move frequently," fled the State in the days after the October 24 crash on the 1400 block of Wilshire Boulevard, according to police.
Kirksey was extradited from Illinois after Santa Monica police detectives, with the assistance of the Chicago Police Department, arrested the suspect "at or near a transit center as he appeared to be attempting to flee further," police officials said.
Kirksey -- who is currently in the custody of SMPD -- has been charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office with two counts of vehicular manslaughter, two counts of felony hit-and-run resulting in injury and one count of reckless driving.
Two other victims of the crash -- a couple both in their thirties -- were transported with injuries to a local hospital
An individual who assisted the suspect in fleeing the State "remains under investigation and will be evaluated" by the DA's office for her involvement in the incident, police officials said.
Kirksey -- who "does not have a stable home address" -- was identified as the suspect after extensive investigative work by SMPD detectives, said Lt. Lewis Gilmour, the Police Department spokesman.
"Evidence revealed that the involved vehicle had been rented through an online platform and that Kirksey took deliberate steps to avoid detection after the crash, including leaving the state in the days that followed," Gilmour said.
"The investigation also revealed that the person who rented the vehicle traveled to the scene after the collision, sought information about what occurred, and later assisted the suspect in leaving the state."
After obtaining search warrants based on the findings, detectives "recovered additional evidence -- including contact information and electronic records -- that helped determine Kirksey’s location."
Detectives tracked his location "using a combination of digital and physical evidence" and "with the help of law enforcement partners in the Midwest tracked Kirksey to Chicago," Gilmour said.
Responding to a request for more information, Gilmour said police are "not able to provide specifics about what either individual was doing in Santa Monica, as those details remain part of the active investigation."
"As for how the suspect traveled to Chicago, that information is not being released at this time."
Interim Chief Darrick Jacob said Kirksey's arrest "reflects the persistence and professionalism of our investigators, who worked tirelessly to identify and locate those responsible for this senseless act.
“While nothing can undo the pain this tragedy caused, this marks an important step toward justice for the victims and their families,” Jacob said.
The two victims have been identified as Maura Cohen and Brad Lipshy, both 61, who were exiting the restaurant Sushi King, where they had been dining together, when they were killed, police said.
Lipshy is the founder and CEO of Event Solutions, a local company that plans events in Santa Monica, according to the company's web site.
Mayor Lana Negrete, who knew both victims, called the fatal hit-and-run "a senseless and heartbreaking act that has shaken our community to its core" that "should never have happened."
"Not a day has gone by that I haven’t thought about the victims, their families, and everyone who loved them," said Negrete, who adjourned last week's City Council meeting in the victims' memory.
"While no arrest or legal action can ever undo the loss or bring back those we’ve lost, I am grateful that accountability is being pursued — and that this individual will be brought to justice."
Anyone with additional information about the case should contact Traffic Investigator Lantz Lewis at (310) 458-2201 ext. 5311, or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at (310) 458-8427.