In the early hours of a Saturday morning in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, a tragic sequence of events unfolded that would ultimately claim the life of 65-year-old Samuel Crispin. On April 1, 2023, a vehicle driven by 37-year-old Courtney Terrell Harris was involved in a crash at the intersection of 12th Avenue and James I. Harrison Parkway. Following the initial collision, Harris attempted to flee the scene. It was in this attempt to escape that his vehicle struck Samuel Crispin, who was on foot.
Emergency services were called to the scene at 12:13 a.m. and found Crispin with critical injuries. He was rushed to DCH Regional Medical Center for treatment. Despite the efforts of medical staff, Samuel Crispin succumbed to his injuries several hours later, passing away on April 2, 2023. The incident drew the attention of the Tuscaloosa Police Department, who began an immediate investigation.
In the aftermath of the fatal incident, Courtney Terrell Harris did not remain at the scene. He fled on foot but was located and taken into custody by Tuscaloosa Police officers shortly thereafter. Upon his detention, officers noted that Harris smelled strongly of alcohol. The investigation was then taken over by the Tuscaloosa Police Traffic Reconstruction Unit and the Violent Crimes Unit.
Further investigation into Harris's background revealed that at the time of the incident, he had an outstanding warrant for felony DUI, which signifies at least three prior convictions for driving under the influence. As a result of the investigation into the death of Samuel Crispin, Courtney Terrell Harris was charged with manslaughter, felony leaving the scene of an accident, and driving under the influence.
