Elderly Man, 84, Succumbs to Injuries Weeks After Father's Day Hit-and-Run While Crossing Birmingham Road in Wheelchair: 'He Was Our Legacy'

An 84-year-old man has died following a hit-and-run incident while he was crossing an east Birmingham roadway in his wheelchair several weeks ago.

The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Erwin Ellis Curtis, a Birmingham resident.

The accident occurred at 10:58 a.m. on Sunday, June 16, on Messer Airport Highway at Georgia Road, coinciding with Father’s Day. Authorities reported that Curtis was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street, and the driver fled the scene.

Curtis was transported by ambulance to UAB Hospital, where he passed away at 8:15 a.m. on Friday, July 5.

Curtis's niece, Ilsa Curtis, spoke fondly of him, expressing the family's deep love and admiration.

“At 84 years old, Uncle Erwin was a pillar of strength, love, and wisdom for us all,’' she said. “His presence filled our lives with joy, guidance, and cherished memories.”

Ilsa recounted how Erwin called her from the scene of the accident, reluctant to go to the hospital, but she insisted. He had sustained bleeding in the brain and was put into a medically induced coma. Before the crash, the uncle and niece had spoken every Sunday by phone—Ilsa lives in New Jersey—and that day was the last time they ever talked.

“He was a family-oriented man—everyone in the family catered to him because he was our patriarch,’' Ilsa said. “He was our legacy.”

Erwin had worked all his life and retired from Coca-Cola.

“You don’t just throw someone like that away,’' she said, reflecting on the hit-and-run incident.

The family had planned their first reunion for July 27.

“Little did we know that we would be saying goodbye to our beloved uncle in such a tragic way,’' she said. “His life was cut short by a senseless act, leaving us all in disbelief and sorrow.”

While the initial reaction is anger,’' Ilsa said, the family reminds each other that it is out of their hands.

“We have to let the Lord handle it,’' she said. “I do trust in the Lord, and he says, ‘Vengeance is mine.’”

“Though we grieve his loss deeply, we find solace in knowing that Uncle Erwin is now in the arms of the Lord,’' she said. “His spirit will live on in each of us, guiding us with his wisdom and love. We trust in God’s plan, even when it’s hard to understand, and we lean on Him for strength during this difficult time.”