Alabama Police Seek State Help After Deadly Chase Kills 17-Year-Old High Schooler
A small north Alabama community is mourning the loss of 17-year-old Tristan Hollis, a Hartselle High School student who died Saturday after a police pursuit ended in tragedy. Now, the Hartselle Police Department says it is calling on the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) for assistance in building what it describes as an “airtight case” for the district attorney.
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The Chase That Ended in Loss
According to police, officers in the nearby city of Priceville began pursuing Archie Hale, a suspect believed to be driving under the influence. The chase moved into Hartselle city limits, racing west on Highway 36.
As Hale’s vehicle entered the intersection of Highway 31 at high speed, it ran a red light and slammed into a minivan carrying Hollis and three others. Despite police efforts to stop the vehicle with tire deflation devices, the collision was unavoidable.
Tristan Hollis, only weeks into his senior year, was killed in the crash. His graveside service will be held Thursday at Hartselle City Cemetery, according to his family.
Police Response: “A Willful Disregard for Human Life”
Hartselle Police Chief Alan McDearmond issued a statement Tuesday evening, calling the incident “the most egregious example of willful disregard for human life” he has ever seen in his career.
Investigators say they have reviewed dashboard camera footage from pursuing officers, local surveillance cameras, and video from Hartselle patrol units that attempted to intervene.
Accountability and Fallout
The fallout from the crash has already reached Priceville City Hall. Mayor Sam Heflin confirmed that officer Garry Chapman has been placed on administrative leave pending investigation. Chapman is the son of Duane Chapman, better known to reality TV fans as Dog the Bounty Hunter.
The connection has drawn national attention to what would otherwise be a deeply local story of heartbreak and accountability.
A Community in Mourning
For Hartselle, a city where Friday night football and family-owned businesses anchor daily life, the loss of a teenager with his future ahead of him has been devastating. Friends have described Tristan as a kind, driven young man who loved sports and had a smile “that made everyone feel welcome.”
The case now rests in the hands of ALEA’s homicide investigators and crash reconstruction experts, who will help determine not only how this tragedy unfolded but also who must ultimately be held responsible.
Why This Matters
High-speed police pursuits remain one of the most controversial tools in law enforcement. While they are meant to protect communities from dangerous drivers, they too often end in deadly consequences for innocent bystanders.
For the Hollis family, and for Hartselle as a whole, the question now is whether justice can bring even a fraction of peace.
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