The father of two girls killed in a two-car wreck earlier this month in Tuscaloosa County has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against former NASA astronaut James Halsell, the driver of the other vehicle.
Halsell, who lives in Huntsville, faces two counts of murder after Alabama troopers say a preliminary investigation showed alcohol and speed may have been factors in the crash.
Attorneys for Pernell Deon James filed the lawsuit against Halsell on Monday in Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court.
The lawsuit states that on June 6 Halsell was operating a rental car, a 2015 Chrysler when the crash occurred. "Defendant Halsell was intoxicated at the time he was operating the vehicle in such a fashion to cause a massive collision," the lawsuit states.
The collision resulted in the death of Jayla Latrice Parler, 13, and Niomi Deona James, 11, who were passengers in the vehicle operated by their father, Pernell James.
The lawsuit states that Pernell James suffered pain and injuries, including but not limited to his head, neck, back and leg. The lawsuit also states James has suffered mental anguish and or emotional distress.
The lawsuit also names an insurance company as a defendant in the case regarding insurance coverage.
Latrice Parler on June 24 also filed a federal lawsuit against Halsell for wrongful death in federal court as custodial parent of the two children.
The accident happened at 2:50 a.m. on June 6 on U.S. 82 near the 65 mile marker, about 10 miles east of Tuscaloosa. Niomi and Jayla, both of Brent, were passengers in the 2015 Ford Fiesta driven by their father.
The family had just picked up the girls from Texas for summer vacation with their father and were almost home when the crash happened.
A trooper said neither of the girls were wearing seatbelts and were thrown from the vehicle. Another passenger also was treated for injuries.
A deposition in the case by a trooper stated Halsell was on his way to pick up his son in Louisiana when the crash occurred.
Troopers, according to the deposition, later searched Halsell's Motel 6 room, finding an empty bottle of wine and an empty 10-pack of sleeping pills. Halsell told investigators he didn't remember the crash and asked to see the victim's bodies.
Updated June 28, 2016 to say that a federal lawsuit also had been filed by the girls' mother.