Questions resurface over fatal 2023 crash involving former Gurley police officer

GURLEY, Ala. (WAFF) – Questions arise more than a year after a police chase ended in a fatal collision on Jordan Lane in Huntsville. In July 2023, innocent driver Matthew Norwood died in an accident.

Former Gurley Police Officer Christopher Whalen has been charged with manslaughter for his involvement in the chase.

According to police, the chase began in Hollywood, Alabama, when the driver of a Nissan Maxima committed a traffic violation near a police station, which attracted the attention of officers.

Hollywood police and Jackson County deputies pursued the suspect to the Madison County line. From there, officers and deputies withdrew from the pursuit and Whalen took over.

Authorities say Whalen followed the suspect to Jordan Lane in Huntsville, where he crashed his car into Matthew Norwood’s vehicle, killing him.

Since then, WAFF 48 has been working to find out what happened to the suspect Whalen was chasing.

On Friday, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency officials referred our questions to Gurley police.

When we reached out, the city attorney told us to contact the Huntsville Police Department.

An HPD spokesman said it would investigate, but did not believe Huntsville officers made the arrest that night and redirected all questions to Gurley officers.

It is still unclear whether the suspect who initiated the pursuit was ever apprehended.

Whalen, who resigned from the Gurley Police Department earlier this year, is currently out on bail.

His trial is scheduled for February 2025.

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