Dothan Medical Student Ryan Davalos Dies After Hit-and-Run Bicycle Crash Near Midland City in Dale County, Alabama

A Dothan medical student has died from injuries he sustained in a hit-and-run crash while riding his bicycle along a rural highway near Midland City in Dale County, Alabama. Ryan Davalos, a student at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM) in Dothan, was struck by a vehicle on Sunday, September 20, 2026. The driver did not stop and left the scene. Davalos was critically injured and remained in critical condition throughout the week. Dale County Coroner John Cawley confirmed that Davalos died on the afternoon of Friday, September 25, 2026. Authorities have not publicly identified the driver or described the vehicle involved. The crash remains under active investigation as officials continue searching for the person responsible. Anyone who was traveling near Midland City on Sunday, September 20, and may have seen a cyclist, a vehicle with fresh front-end or side damage, or anything unusual is encouraged to contact local law enforcement. 

Location and Infrastructure

Midland City is a small town in western Dale County, a short drive northwest of Dothan along the U.S. Highway 231 corridor. The surrounding area includes the county seat of Ozark, the town of Daleville, and Fort Novosel, which generates steady commuter and military traffic. Officials have not publicly identified the specific highway where the crash occurred. Rural highways in this part of the Wiregrass region are typically two-lane roads with higher posted speed limits, narrow or unpaved shoulders, and limited street lighting. Few have dedicated bicycle lanes, so cyclists often share the travel lane with passenger vehicles, trucks, and agricultural equipment. Because traffic control devices are sparse on these roads, and curves, hills, and changing light can reduce visibility, both drivers and cyclists have limited time to react.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Alabama law, bicycles are treated as vehicles, and cyclists generally have the same rights and duties on the road as other drivers. Alabama law also requires motorists to leave at least three feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist. Ala. Code § 32-10-1 and related sections require any driver involved in a crash that causes injury or death to stop, render reasonable aid, and exchange information. Leaving the scene of a crash involving death or injury is a felony. When a death occurs, Alabama's Wrongful Death Act (Ala. Code § 6-5-410) allows the personal representative of the deceased person's estate to bring a civil action. Damages under this statute are punitive in nature, and the action generally must be filed within two years of the date of death. In hit-and-run cases where the driver is unknown or uninsured, uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may apply, subject to policy terms and notice requirements. Families may also want to ask about medical payments coverage and crime victim compensation programs.

Related Resources

Emergency and Law Enforcement

• Emergency: 911
• Dale County Sheriff's Office (Ozark, AL)
• Midland City Police Department
• Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Highway Patrol Division: https://www.alea.gov
• Dale County Coroner's Office

Traffic Safety Resources

• Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT): https://www.dot.state.al.us
• ALGO Traffic, real-time Alabama road conditions: https://algotraffic.com
• NHTSA Bicycle Safety: https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/bicycle-safety

Victim Support Services

• Alabama Crime Victims' Compensation Commission: https://acvcc.alabama.gov
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which also offers grief and emotional support (call or text 988): https://988lifeline.org
• Alabama Department of Insurance, consumer assistance with claims: https://www.aldoi.gov

State Laws and Regulations

• Code of Alabama, Title 32 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic), searchable through the Alabama Legislature: https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/code-of-alabama
• Alabama Driver Manual, ALEA Driver License Division: https://www.alea.gov/dps/driver-license