Former Tuscumbia Police Officer James Keith “Jay” Steward was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the death of pedestrian Terry Wayne Hinton, who was struck and killed by a marked police vehicle on Hawk Pride Mountain Road in October 2022.
According to reporting from WAFF, investigators said Steward was driving 90 miles per hour and was under the influence when he crashed into Hinton, who was walking along the road at the time. Hinton was 60 years old.
The case began as a reckless murder indictment. The Associated Press reported that the indictment accused Steward of killing Hinton while driving a police vehicle and alleged that Steward was under the influence of a controlled substance, speeding, and/or driving on the wrong side of the road.
Steward later pleaded guilty to manslaughter. WAFF reported that Steward admitted to killing Hinton while driving under the influence and that the wreck happened while Steward was behind the wheel of a marked police vehicle.
In October 2024, a Colbert County judge sentenced Steward to 20 years in prison. That sentence came after Steward’s plea reduced the case from the original reckless murder charge to manslaughter.
After sentencing, Steward tried to change where he would serve his time. WAFF reported that a judge rejected Steward’s request to serve the 20-year sentence in the Cullman County Jail instead of state prison.
The criminal case also left a civil case behind. In January 2025, WAFF reported that Hinton’s family was pursuing a wrongful-death lawsuit and that discovery was moving forward.
This case stands out because Steward was not simply another reckless driver. He was a police officer, in a marked patrol vehicle, entrusted with public safety. Instead, investigators said he was speeding, under the influence, and driving in a way that ended the life of Terry Hinton.
Sources
- Associated Press: Former Alabama police officer indicted for reckless murder
- WAFF: Former Tuscumbia officer pleads guilty to manslaughter
- WAFF: Former Tuscumbia officer sentenced for fatal wreck
- WAFF: Judge rules against former Tuscumbia cop looking to serve sentence in county jail
- WAFF: Civil lawsuit moving forward against ex-Tuscumbia cop jailed for manslaughter
