Standard News

Hide Advertisement
  • Business
  • Culture
  • News
  • Technology
  • Trending
Site logo
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Former NASA astronaut charged with murder in Alabama traffic deaths

June 8, 2016 | By Reuters
Courtesy Tuscaloosa County Sheriff?s Office photo of a retired NASA astronaut James Donald Halsell, Jr.

By Rich McKay

(Reuters) – A retired NASA astronaut was free on bail on Tuesday after being charged with two counts of murder in connection with a traffic crash that killed two girls near Tuscaloosa, Alabama this week.

Advertisement

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.

Niomi Deona James, 11, and Jayla Latrice Parler, 13, died after the 2015 Ford Fiesta they were riding in was hit by a 2015 Chrysler 300 driven by Halsell, King said in a statement, adding that neither of the girls was wearing a seat belt.

According to Alabama news website AL.com, the girls were sisters who were traveling from Texas for summer vacation with their father when the crash occurred. Two other people in the Fiesta were injured, police said.

Halsell, 59, of Huntsville, Alabama, was arrested at the scene and later released from custody after posting $150,000 bond, jail records show.

It was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer. Phone calls to his Huntsville home were not returned on Tuesday.

Halsell was a highly decorated astronaut whose work included helping to construct the International Space Station, according to NASA’s website. He is also a retired U.S. Air Force colonel.

(Reporting by Rich McKay in Atlanta; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Steve Orlofsky)

tagreuters.com2016binary_LYNXNPEC561BZ-VIEWIMAGE

tagreuters.com2016binary_LYNXNPEC5619T-VIEWIMAGE

tagreuters.com2016binary_LYNXNPEC5619S-VIEWIMAGE

← Previous Post Next Post →
Advertisement - Continue reading below
Share  On Facebook

Mondelez abandons pursuit of U.S. chocolate maker Hershey

California power grid passes first heat wave test amid gas shortage

Some US Cities Are Tackling Homelessness by Giving People Homes, and the Results Are Promising

Glenn Beck must reveal Boston Marathon bombing sources

Convicted spy Pollard loses challenge to U.S. parole conditions

Special Report: ‘Massive’ breach exposes hundreds of new SAT questions

Britain’s Pippa Middleton engaged to hedge fund beau

Lawmaker says local officials suspect Orlando shooter aligned with Islamic State

California Muslim student wrongly identified as ‘Isis’ in yearbook

Once dismissed, shark attacks may hit new record in 2016

load more Loading posts...

sidebar

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

sidebar-alt

  • About Us
  • Imprint
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy