Duty of Care

On Monday, October 26, 2026, Romella Tabb, 63, of Bessemer, a Bessemer Water Utility worker, was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver while servicing a water meter in the 5100 block of Main Street in Brighton, Alabama, al.com, WBRC, and WVTM reported. Deputies were dispatched at 8:17 a.m., and Tabb was pronounced dead at 9:35 a.m.

Daniel Agurre Nava, 48, was charged with leaving the scene of a crash and is being held without bond. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating.

For meter and service work at the curb, the defenses to check are trucks parked to shield the worker, warning signs or cones even for short jobs, high-visibility clothing, lookouts on busy roads, and route planning that limits time spent standing in or next to traffic lanes. These are equipment and planning controls, not just individual alertness.

• al.com
• WBRC
• WVTM 13