Man killed in Huntsville crash; Gurley police officer involved in chase of another car also injured

A two-vehicle crash late Friday night involving a Gurley police officer has claimed the life of a Toney man, according to a statement from troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

Matthew Deandre’ Norwood, 22, was critically injured when the 2008 Toyota Corolla he was driving was struck by the 2018 Ford Explorer driven Christopher J. Whalen, 31, of New Market, according to the statement. Norwood was transported to Huntsville Hospital, where he succumbed to injuries and was pronounced deceased.

Whalen was also injured and transported to Huntsville Hospital for treatment.

Norwood was not using a seat belt at the time of the crash, troopers reported.

The crash happened about 11:46 p.m. Friday at the intersection of Interstate 565 and Jordan Lane near the 17 mile marker within the city limits of Huntsville, in Madison County, according to the ALEA statement.

Whalen, an officer with the Gurley Police Department, was on duty in his assigned patrol vehicle actively pursuing a Nissan Maxima at the time of the collision, troopers stated. The Nissan was not struck and was not directly involved in the crash, according to the statement.

No other information is available at this time as troopers with ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate.