Alabama Teen Killed In Crash After Drug Dealer Father Leads Officers On Chase

A 16-year-old boy died in Jefferson County, Alabama, after the car driven by his father crashed into a truck while attempting to evade police. The man was involved in a drug deal.

According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the incident took place Saturday (May 16) when the Sheriff’s Neighborhood Enforcement Team (SNET), along with a crew from Live PD television program, witnessed a drug transaction at a gas station in Midfield town. The television crew was filming the incident but was not live streaming it.

Both parties involved in the transaction were stopped. The purchasing party was questioned following which it was confirmed that the transaction had occurred, said Sgt. Joni Money. When the deputies approached the seller’s vehicle, occupied by three persons, the driver sped away from the scene.

According to the deputies, police chased the vehicle as the driver, identified as 41-year-old Reico Derrell Terry of Bessemer, drove onto the interstate before exiting onto surface streets. Sgt. Money said that when they noticed Terry was not slowing down at intersections, the deputies, considering the safety of other citizens, ended the pursuit.

To distance himself from deputies, Terry continued on his path without bothering to stop even at traffic signals. The vehicle finally stopped after crashing into an 18-wheeler tanker truck at the intersection of 8th Avenue West and Arkadelphia Road.

According to the deputies, Terry got out of the vehicle and attempted to flee the scene. He was taken into custody. They also seized heroin that he had in his possession.

Terry’s 16-year-old son, whose identity was not revealed, was found in the backseat with serious injuries. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The third passenger received only minor injuries in the accident. He was questioned at the scene and released.

Terry was booked into the Jefferson County Jail. He was charged with unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, felony alluding, reckless endangerment, and resisting arrest. His bond was set at $53,000.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency was asked to investigate the crash incident. Terry could face additional charges after the investigation results were released.