On Sunday, December 21, 2025, at approximately 7:00 p.m., a devastating hit-and-run collision in Troy, Alabama, claimed the life of 59-year-old Annie Laura Cooper, a Troy resident. Officers from the Troy Police Department responded to reports of a motor vehicle accident involving a pedestrian and discovered Cooper at the scene, where she was pronounced dead. The driver fled the location without rendering aid or contacting emergency services. Following an intensive investigation that spanned state lines, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for a residence in Lucedale, Mississippi, where investigators located the vehicle believed to be involved in the fatal collision. On the Saturday following the incident, officers arrested 45-year-old Malvin Geovany Villalbos-Bonilla of Lucedale, Mississippi, on felony charges of Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Death. Villalbos-Bonilla is currently being held at the Pike County Jail on a $250,000 bond. The Troy Police Department, Lucedale Police Department, and Pike County District Attorney's Office collaborated on this investigation, which remains ongoing.

Location and Infrastructure

Troy, Alabama, serves as the county seat of Pike County and is home to Troy University, contributing to a mix of residential, commercial, and student-oriented traffic patterns throughout the city. The area where this fatal pedestrian accident occurred experiences varied traffic conditions, particularly during evening hours when visibility may be reduced. Troy's roadway infrastructure includes a combination of state highways and local streets that accommodate both through-traffic and local commuters. Pedestrian safety remains a concern in many areas throughout the city, as sidewalk availability and street lighting vary by location. The Alabama Department of Transportation maintains several major routes through Troy, including U.S. Highway 231 and State Route 167, which serve as primary corridors connecting the city to surrounding communities. Local authorities continue to evaluate traffic safety measures in areas with significant pedestrian activity.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Alabama law, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death constitutes a Class B felony, carrying significant criminal penalties. For the family of Annie Laura Cooper, Alabama's wrongful death statute (Code of Alabama § 6-5-410) provides a legal pathway to seek compensation through civil action. Alabama operates under a two-year statute of limitations for wrongful death claims, meaning surviving family members must initiate legal proceedings within this timeframe. Potential compensation in such cases may include punitive damages, as Alabama's wrongful death statute is uniquely designed to punish wrongdoing rather than compensate for specific losses. Additionally, victims' families may explore claims through their own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if the at-fault driver lacks adequate insurance. Given the criminal charges pending and the ongoing investigation, family members should consider consulting with a qualified attorney to understand their rights and preserve potential claims.

Related Resources

• Troy Police Department: (334) 566-0500
• Pike County District Attorney's Office: (334) 566-4422
• Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA): www.alea.gov
• Alabama Department of Transportation Traffic Safety: www.dot.state.al.us
• Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission: (334) 290-4420
• Victims of Crime and Leniency (VOCAL): Alabama-based victim advocacy organization
• Alabama Code – Rules of the Road: Title 32, Chapter 5A, Code of Alabama
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): www.nhtsa.gov