BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — In his obituary, Michael Anthony Crabtree’s life was described as being filled with love and laughter, as well as a deep loyalty and devotion to his family, friends and faith.

Crabtree, better known to family and friends as “TC” who lived in Wilsonville, died May 18 from what was described as “a tragic accident while working in Atlanta.” But that only tells part of what police say actually happened.

Portia Taylor, 30, was arrested June 11 and charged in Crabtree’s death. She is charged with allegedly hitting him with her car as he was walking across the street in the hotel district of downtown Atlanta, as well as leaving the scene and getting involved in a second crash only minutes later. Specifically, Taylor is charged with homicide by vehicle, hit and run resulting in serious injury or death and driving under the influence of several substances.

According to the Atlanta Police Department, officers were called to the corner of Peachtree Street and Baker Street, where Crabtree had been hit by a car sometime after 6 a.m. Crabtree, 71, was pronounced dead at the scene.

During its investigation, police looked over footage of a 2013 Nissan Altima driven by Taylor that had left the Candyland strip club at about 6:26 a.m. May 18, traveling “at a high rate of speed” before hitting Crabtree, never stopping and going a few more blocks before turning onto Williams Street and getting on I-75/85.

According to map records, the distance between Candyland and where Crabtree was hit was around 0.3 miles.

Police say that at 6:35 a.m., Taylor was involved in a second crash along the interstate, where she was stopped and arrested. At the time, Taylor was charged with possession of marijuana, driving under the influence, and an open container violation.

“During her arrest, Ms. Taylor told the Cobb County office that she works at Candyland, and on 05/18/2025, on her way home, she struck a vehicle in the city of Atlanta, but because she did
not stop to make a police report,” an APD report stated.

Through further investigation, Taylor was linked to the crash involving Crabtree and was arrested June 11 as she left Candyland. She is currently in the Fulton County Jail on no bond.

Courtney Hall, Crabtree’s stepdaughter, said he meant the world to everyone he met.

“TC put a light into each and every person he met. He loved beyond what was thought to be humanly possible. He showed me and my boys what a true dad could be. He gave more of himself than he ever took. Most of all he loved and adored my mom as she did him,” Hall wrote on Facebook two days after his death. “I’ve said before and I will say it forever… never think it can’t happen to you. Tomorrow is not promised.”

A service was held for Crabtree on May 23 in Gardendale. A memorial is set for sometime in the coming weeks.