Tuscaloosa Man Charged With Manslaughter After Pedestrian Struck And Killed

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit has charged a Tuscaloosa man with manslaughter and other charges after allegedly striking and fatally injuring a pedestrian on Saturday, before leaving the scene.

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Captain Jack Kennedy, commander of the multiagency unit, told local media on Tuesday that the Tuscaloosa Police Department responded at 12:13 a.m. Saturday morning to a traffic crash at 12th Avenue and James I. Harrison Parkway.

Kennedy said a vehicle driven by Courtney Terrell Harris, 37, crashed into a second vehicle, before attempting to leave the scene and striking a pedestrian on foot.

Kennedy said Harris soon fled from the scene walking and was later located and taken into custody by Tuscaloosa Police officers.

The victim was identified as 65-year-old Samuel Crispin.

Crispin had critical injuries and was transported to the hospital, but passed away several hours later.

"Harris smelled strongly of alcohol when he was detained, and the Tuscaloosa Police Traffic Reconstruction Unit and the Violent Crimes Unit was called out to assume the investigation," Kennedy said, going on to say that Harris was charged with manslaughter, felony leaving the scene of an accident and driving under the influence (DUI).

Kennedy then said investigators found that Harris had an outstanding warrant for Felony DUI — which requires three prior convictions for DUI — at the time of the fatal hit-and-run.

Harris remains in the Tuscaloosa County Jail. His bond has not been set at this time.

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