Beloved Birmingham bartender dies after being hit by car

A woman who died after being hit by a car while crossing a road in Birmingham's Central City area is being remembered as a beloved friend and a bright light behind the bar.The Jefferson County coroner said Mona Ables, 53, was struck while crossing First Avenue North around 2 a.m. on July 4. She was taken to UAB Hospital, where she died just 30 minutes later.Ables was a bartender at Bayonet. Rob McDaniel, the owner of the restaurant, released a statement mourning her loss following what he described as a tragic Friday night accident."Mona was more than a member of our team; she was a bright light behind the bar, a dear friend to so many, and someone whose warmth, laughter and larger-than-life personality left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of knowing her," McDaniel said.He added that Ables helped shape Bayonet from its very beginning, noting that her absence will be deeply felt by both the staff and the many guests who knew and loved her.McDaniel thanked the community for an incredible outpouring of love and asked people to keep Ables' family and the Bayonet team in their thoughts as they navigate the days ahead.The incident remains under investigation by the Birmingham Police Department.This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available. Stay updated on the latest stories with the WVTM 13 app. You can download it here.