Retired NASA astronaut James Donald Halsell Jr. charged with murder in DUI crash that killed Niomi Deona James, 11, and Jayla Latrice Parler, 13, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Modified Date: 
Thu, 05/27/2021 - 3:18pm
Accident Date: 
Monday, June 6, 2016

Retired NASA astronaut charged with murder in DUI crash that killed 2 young sisters

The accident happened at 2:50 a.m. Monday on U.S. 82 near the 65 mile marker, 10 miles east of Tuscaloosa, said Senior Trooper Reginal King. Niomi and Jayla, both of Brent, were passengers in a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The Fiesta was struck by a 2015 Chrysler 300 driven by Halsell.

Huntsville man, former astronaut, facing murder charges in possible DUI crash near Tuscaloosa

An online biography by NASA says Halsell went to work in the aerospace industry in 2006 after a career that included five shuttle flights starting in July 1994.

Police: Ex-astronaut who had worked in Utah tried to take vehicle after fatal Alabama crash

 A motorist who stopped to offer aid told officers the one-time astronaut tried to take his pickup truck, appeared drunk and "was bouncing around," the statement said.

Wrongful Death Lawsuits Filed Against Ex-Astronaut in Crash

Former NASA astronaut 59-year-old James Halsell has been charged with reckless murder in the crash and now faces wrongful-death lawsuits in Tuscaloosa County and in federal court.

Documents: Reckless murder case against ex-astronaut delayed

The defense requested a delay, saying attorneys are negotiating a possible settlement involving Halsell. A motion says the two sides also are still exchanging evidence.

Former astronaut charged with two counts of murder to appear in court Thursday

The hearing this morning was originally scheduled for March, but was continued until today. Court documents filed when the continuance was granted show the prosecution and the defense were "attempting to negotiate a settlement agreement."   

Defense: No alcohol in fatal crash involving ex-astronaut

An indictment charging Halsell in a 2016 crash that killed two young sisters in Tuscaloosa says he was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. But the defense says no alcohol was involved and is blaming the wreck on sleep medication.

Ex-astronaut charged with reckless murder asks Tuscaloosa judge to exclude certain evidence in case

During a court hearing Tuesday, Halsell’s lawyers asked Circuit Judge Al May to keep out certain evidence in the case, including 911 calls, law enforcement statements and pictures and video taken by police of the wreck scene. 

Judge: Jurors can’t hear of ex-astronaut’s DUI in crash case

The defense in the Alabama case has said it plans to argue that Halsell had an adverse reaction to the sleep medication Ambien and was involuntarily intoxicated when his car struck another vehicle, killing 11-year-old Niomi Deona James and 13-year-old Jayla Latrick Parler.

Mother wants justice 4 years after daughters were killed in Tuscaloosa car crash

Parler is angry because Halsell’s attorneys have been able to file a series of motions that have delayed the case from going to trial.

Former astronaut pleads guilty in traffic deaths of 2 girls

While Halsell could have received 20 years for each manslaughter charge and 10 years for each assault charge, a judge agreed to probation and ordered him to spend four years in prison without early release followed by 10 years on supervised release.

People Involved: 
Niomi Deona James
Jayla Latrice Parler
James Donald Halsell Jr.
Roadway: 
U.S. 82

Add new comment

To prevent automated s-p-a-m submissions leave this field empty.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
15 + 1 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.