In the quiet, affluent community of Mountain Brook, Alabama, a sunny, summer afternoon turned into a scene of tragedy and loss. On Saturday, July 22, 2023, 10-year-old Annabelle Mullican, a young female, was killed in a devastating single-vehicle crash. The events of that day would not only shatter a family but also lead to serious criminal charges against her mother.
Earlier that afternoon, Annabelle was with her mother, Dr. Sarah Kathleen Cumbest Mullican, and her 8-year-old sister, Callie. For reasons that would later come under intense legal scrutiny, Sarah Mullican was driving her white Toyota Highlander at a high rate of speed on Old Leeds Road. A Mountain Brook police officer, positioned in a driveway, clocked her vehicle traveling at 47 mph in a 30-mph zone and attempted to initiate a traffic stop.
Instead of pulling over, Mullican reportedly accelerated, turning onto Cherokee Road and attempting to elude the officer. During the brief pursuit, items were allegedly thrown from the vehicle. The chase ended tragically within seconds when Mullican lost control of the SUV, crashing into a tree in the 3400 block of Cherokee Road. First responders arrived at the chaotic scene to find a devastating aftermath. Annabelle, who had been in the backseat and was not wearing a seatbelt, suffered a major head injury and was unresponsive. She was rushed to Children's of Alabama, but her injuries, including a skull fracture, were too severe. Annabelle Mullican was pronounced dead at 6:20 p.m. that evening. Her mother sustained abrasions, and her younger sister, who was properly restrained, also had minor injuries.
In the days and weeks that followed the horrific crash, the Mountain Brook Police Department conducted a thorough investigation. This led to the case being presented to the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office. As a result, arrest warrants were issued for Sarah Kathleen Cumbest Mullican on charges of reckless murder and felony attempting to elude. She was later booked into the Jefferson County Jail and was subsequently released after posting bond. The tragic incident has had far-reaching consequences, including the loss of her medical practice and the filing of divorce by her husband, as she awaits trial.
