Police seek state help to investigate chase that killed 17-year-old Alabama high schooler

A police department in north Alabama has reached out to the state for help as it continues its investigation into a police chase that led to a crash on Saturday, killing a high schooler.

In a statement Tuesday evening, Hartselle police said it seeks to work with “specialized equipment“ and homicide investigators with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to be able to present an airtight case to the district attorney.

Tristan Hollis, 17, who attended Hartselle High School, died after the suspect’s vehicle struck a minivan where he was with three others, the police stated. His graveside service at Hartselle City Cemetery is on Thursday.

Police from the nearby city of Priceville were in pursuit of the suspect, identified as Archie Hale, fleeing on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to the Hartselle Police Department. They entered Hartselle’s City limits from I-65, headed west on Highway 36/Main Street, and as the suspect entered the intersection of Highway 31 at a very high speed, he struck the minivan.

“The video also confirms the traffic light was red for the suspect vehicle,” the Hartselle Police Department stated.

The department said it reviewed the cameras from the pursuing officer’s vehicle, the surrounding area, and from its own police vehicles, which tried to intervene with Tire Deflation Devices.

Hartselle Police Chief Alan McDearmond, in the statement, described the incident as “the most egregious example of willful disregard for human life” he has encountered.

“We are committed to presenting a complete and evidence-based case to the District Attorney’s Office and will pursue justice relentlessly on behalf of the victims and their loved ones,” he added.

Meanwhile, Priceville Mayor Sam Heflin said the city has placed one of its officers, Garry Chapman, on administrative leave, following the incident.

Chapman, according to family and police Facebook posts, is the son of Duane Chapman, known as Dog the Bounty Hunter – the professional bounty hunter and reality TV star.