Car Chase leads To Death Of Teen, Arrest Of Suspect

JEFFERSON COUNTY, AL — A 16-year-old boy is dead and his father was arrested after a high speed chase led Jefferson County Sheriff's deputies through the Midfield area just before noon Saturday. Television crews from the show Live PD were present during the incident.

Sgt. Joni Money of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said the Jefferson County Sheriff's Neighborhood Enforcement Team witnessed a drug transaction in the Midfield area. Both parties in the transaction were stopped, and deputies confirmed a drug transaction had occurred from te buyer in the transaction.

Money said the seller fled the scene accompanied by two male passengers. The driver, identified as 41-year-old, Reico Terry, led deputies on a chase throughout the area and onto the interstate, Money said.

The JCSO report said the driver exited onto surface streets, and once it was apparent that the driver was not slowing for intersections, the SNET Deputies ended the pursuit. The driver continued on his path to distance himself from deputies without yielding to oncoming traffic or stopping for traffic lights.

Money said the vehicle collided with an 18-wheeler at the intersection of 8th Avenue West and Arkadelphia Road just after 12 noon.

Terry jumped out of the vehicle and attempted to run from the scene, Money said, and deputies were able to take him into custody. Terry was found to be in possession of heroin. The front seat passenger was also questioned at the scene and released, having received only minor injuries in the accident. The rear passenger of the vehicle, Terry’s 16-year-old son, was transported to the hospital, where he later died.

Terry has been taken to the Jefferson County Jail where he is being charged with unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, felony alluding, reckless endangerment and resisting arrest. His bonds total $43,000.

According to Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office procedure, ALEA was called to work the traffic accident. Additional charges from the wreck may be pursued against Terry pending the results of the investigation by ALEA.