TROY, Ala. — Two people tragically lost their lives early Sunday morning after their vehicle struck a utility pole while fleeing from a Troy University Police officer, according to the Troy University Police Department (TUPD).
The crash occurred around 1:48 a.m. on Elm Street, near the Troy University campus. TUPD officials said the incident began when an officer attempted to make contact with a stopped vehicle. The driver accelerated and fled at a high rate of speed, prompting a police pursuit. A short distance later, the vehicle left the roadway and collided with a utility pole.
Both the driver and passenger, the only occupants in the vehicle, were pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities confirmed that neither individual was a Troy University student, although both were residents of Troy.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) identified the victims on Monday as Rosolando V. Givens, 52, the driver, and Alkesa S. Liptrot, 45, the passenger. Officials noted that neither Givens nor Liptrot were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.
ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division is conducting an investigation into the crash.
