Wypadek byłego astronauty JD Halsella, Jr'a

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Trochę stary news, ale związany z wypuszczeniem z więzienia byłego astronauty Jima Halsella, Jr'a

Ex-astronaut released from north Alabama prison after serving time for manslaughter, DUI charge

James Halsell was originally charged with reckless murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter and assault-DUI in 2021.

By Liz Hurley and WAFF 48 Digital Staff
Published: May 26, 2025 at 11:00 PM CEST|Updated: May 26, 2025 at 11:25 PM CEST

DECATUR, Ala. (WAFF) - On this Memorial Day, James Halsell, a United States Air Force Academy grad, a retired Air Force officer, and a former NASA astronaut, was released from an Alabama prison Monday, nearly four years to the day he walked in.

Jim Halsell, a respected five-time shuttle astronaut who settled in Huntsville, walked out of the Alabama Department of Corrections-North Alabama Community Based Facility in Decatur just before 9 a.m.

Halsell was originally charged with reckless murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter and assault-DUI in 2021 to the deadly 2016 crash in Tuscaloosa that injured two and killed two young sisters, 13-year-old Jayla Parler and 11-year-old Niomi James.

Halsell was driving a rental car in the middle of the night when he hit the girls’ car from behind. Their car crossed a median and flipped twice. One sister died at the scene, the other at the hospital.

State troopers said alcohol and speed were factors in the crash, and court documents show Halsell admitted to drinking three glasses of wine at a local hotel.

Troopers later found an empty bottle of wine and an empty package of sleeping pills in Halsell’s hotel room during a search after the accident.

At the time of the wreck, Halsell was on probation for a DUI in Los Angeles.

Criminally, he admitted guilt in court and expressed deep remorse.

He was given four years behind bars, but the girls’ family wanted much more.

Halsell walked out of prison Monday with a bag of his belongings and will now spend the next 10 years on probation.

WAFF 48’s Liz Hurley sent him a letter two weeks ago asking for an interview, while he was in prison. On Monday, Liz heard back, saying he would consider the request.

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https://www.waff.com/2025/05/26/ex-astronaut-released-north-alabama-prison-after-serving-time-manslaughter-dui-charge/