The Ford Fiesta was traveling in the right-hand, eastbound lane of U.S. Highway 82 just east of Tuscaloosa when Halsell struck their vehicle from behind, pushing it across the left-hand lane and causing it to flip twice in the median before resting in the westbound lane, according to troopers.
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Two juveniles, who were not using seat belts, were ejected from the auto they were riding in when it was struck by a vehicle driven James Halsell, Jr., 59, of Huntsville.
James Halsell Jr., who flew five space shuttle missions, was arrested early on Monday after a preliminary investigation showed alcohol and speed may have been factors in the crash, said senior state trooper Reginal King of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
Neither girl was wearing a seatbelt and they were thrown from the vehicle.
Halsell told Alabama State Troopers investigators he had rented the Chrysler between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Sunday, and was driving that vehicle at the time of the accident.
Halsell was on his way to pick up his son in Louisiana, a route he usually traveled by interstate. He checked into the Motel 6 around midnight, court documents said.
They say Halsell, 59, crashed into a Ford Fiesta carrying the girls and their dad.
“Halsell’s speech was slurred, eyes were dilated, clothes dishevelled and he was unstable on his feet and smelled of alcohol.”
James was released Tuesday and Cutts was in fair condition, according to a DCH spokesman. The girls live in San Antonio. Dennis Stripling, mayor of the town of Brent, Alabama, said the story is all the more tragic because the family was so close to home when the ex-NASA astronaut hit them. Halsell Jr. of Huntsville was arrested after a crash that killed 11-year-old Niomi Deona James and 13-year-old Jayla Latrick Parler of Brent early Monday, June 6, 2016.
He then served as the Assistant Director for Aircraft Operations, Flight Crew Operations Directorate. He retired from NASA for the aerospace industry in 2006 and now lives in Huntsville, Ala.
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The city of Brent is accepting donations to cover funeral expenses for the family.
