A Gurley police officer who was himself injured in a two-vehicle crash during a pursuit that claimed the life of a Toney man has resigned from the force.

WHNT is reporting that Christopher Whalen, 31, resigned from his position as an officer in December.

He had been on leave the July 21 chase, which happened about 11:46 p.m. at the intersection of Interstate 565 and Jordan Lane, near the 17 mile marker within the city limits of Huntsville.

Whalen, an officer with Gurley police, was on duty in his assigned patrol vehicle, actively pursuing a Nissan Maxima at the time of the collision, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

Matthew Deandre’ Norwood, 22, was critically injured when the 2008 Toyota Corolla he was driving was struck by Whalen’s 2018 Ford Explorer.

Norwood, who was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, was later transported to Huntsville Hospital, where died from his injuries.

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

The Nissan being pursued was not struck and was not directly involved in the crash. It is unclear whether the driver of the Nissan being pursued was ever apprehended.

WHNT reported that, according to a Gurley Town official, an investigation into the incident was not finished as Whalen resigned before its completion.