Man facing manslaughter charges after fatal wreck early Sunday
A 37-year-old man is facing charges including manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident and driving under the influence after an early-morning crash resulted in the death of a pedestrian.
The crash happened just after midnight Sunday at the intersection of 12th Avenue and James I. Harrison Parkway, when a vehicle driven by 37-year-old Courtney Terrell Harris smashed into a second vehicle, continued traveling and hit a pedestrian who was walking.
Harris took off on foot but was later located and taken into custody by Tuscaloosa Police.
The victim, identified as 65-year-old Samuel Crispin, was critically injured and taken to DCH Regional Medical Center, where he later died.
Police who detained Harris noted he smelled strongly of alcohol, and the Tuscaloosa Police Traffic Reconstruction Unit and the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit were called out to take over the investigation.
After investigating, Harris was charged with:
- Manslaughter
- Felony leaving the scene of an accident
- Driving under the influence
At the time of his arrest, Harris had a separate outstanding warrant for felony DUI, which requires at least three previous DUI convictions.
Harris was placed in the Tuscaloosa County Jail, where his bond will be set later.
