Child Ordered to Get Out of Car as Punishment is Hit and Killed by Another Vehicle.

A young child is dead today after receiving an unusual punishment at the hands of his mother's boyfriend. Alabama authorities say that 5-year-old Austin Birdseye was riding in a car with his mother's boyfriend when he began acting "unruly". As a punishment the boyfriend, 35-year-old Bryan Starr, pulled over and made Birdseye get out of the car .

"Sheriff Taylor says at that point Birdseye wandered onto the busy Hwy. 165 near County Rd. 24 where he was struck by another vehicle and killed.

Russell County Coroner Arthur Sumbry Jr. said he pronounced Birdseye dead at 8:51 p.m. at Piedmont Columbus Regional.

Sheriff Taylor says that Starr, who is an active duty soldier at Fort Benning, will be charged with reckless murder. Starr turned himself into the Russell County Sheriff’s Office.

Ft. Benning officials say Starr is a Sergeant First Class assigned to 3rd Squadron, 16th Cavalry Regiment, 316th Cavalry Brigade and has a total of 17 years of service."

The driver of the other vehicle has not been charged with the young boy's death. The crash itself is being investigated by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

Fort Benning released the following statement:

Sgt. 1st Class Bryan Starr turned himself into the Russell County, Alabama, sheriff’s office regarding the tragic death of a 5-year-old boy in his care. Ben Garrett, Manuever Center of Excellence

Fort Benning is cooperating with local law enforcement officials.

Starr, 35, from Marengo, Illinois, is assigned to 3rd Squadron, 16th Cavalry Regiment, 316th Cavalry Brigade, has 17 years of service. His previous assignments include the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California; Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Knox, Kentucky; and Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He has one combat deployment to Iraq.

We are deeply saddened by this tragic event and extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased.

Starr is facing a reckless murder charge for his part in Birdseye's death.