A former Gurley police officer was indicted by a Madison County Grand Jury for the death of a north Alabama man, court documents show.
Christopher J. Whalen, 31, who resigned from the Gurley police force in December, was charged with manslaughter after he struck and killed 22-year-old Matthew Deandré Norwood while chasing another vehicle in July 2023.
The July 21 crash happened about 11:46 p.m. at the intersection of Interstate 565 and Jordan Lane, near the 17 mile marker within the city limits of Huntsville.
Whalen was on duty in his assigned patrol vehicle, actively pursuing a Nissan Maxima at the time of the collision, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
Norwood was critically injured when the 2008 Toyota Corolla he was driving was struck by Whalen’s 2018 Ford Explorer.
Charging documents allege that Whalen failed to slow down while driving past a stop signal.
Norwood, who was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, was later transported to Huntsville Hospital, where died from his injuries, according to ALEA.
Whalen also was injured and transported to Huntsville Hospital for treatment.
The Nissan being pursued was not struck and was not directly involved in the crash. It is unclear whether the driver of the Nissan being pursued was ever apprehended.
According to WHNT, ALEA had concluded an investigation into the chase in November 2023 and had turned over the findings to the Madison County District Attorney’s office.
A Gurley official told the station in January that Whalen resigned before a town investigation had been completed.
A warrant was issued for Whalen’s arrest on Sept. 23. Whalen’s bail was set at $25,000 and he submitted bond on Oct. 12, according to court records.
A trial is set for Feb. 10, 2025.
