GURLEY, Ala. (Waffle) – Questions linger more than a year after a police chase led to a fatal collision on Jordan Lane in Huntsville. The crash claimed the life of innocent driver Matthew Norwood in July 2023.

Former Gurley police officer Christopher Whalen has been charged with manslaughter for his role in the pursuit.

According to police, the pursuit began in Hollywood, Alabama, when the driver of a Nissan Maxima committed a traffic violation near the police department, drawing the attention of an officer.

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

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

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

Alabama law enforcement officials referred questions to Gurley police on Friday.

When we reached out, the city attorney told us to ask the Huntsville police.

An HPD spokesperson said they will investigate the investigation, however, they do not believe Huntsville officers made an arrest that night and again referred all questions to Officer Gurley.

It is still unclear if the suspect who sparked the pursuit was ever arrested.

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

His trial is set for February 2025.

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