June 7, 2016 / 8:53 PM

Former NASA shuttle pilot charged in girls' deaths after Alabama car crash

Former NASA space shuttle pilot James Halsell, Jr., 59, was charged with murder after his car collided with another and killed two young girls Monday, officials said. An Alabama State trooper spokesman said alcohol and speed might have been factors in the crash. Photo courtesy Alabama State Troopers

Former NASA space shuttle pilot James Halsell, Jr., 59, was charged with murder after his car collided with another and killed two young girls Monday, officials said. An Alabama State trooper spokesman said alcohol and speed might have been factors in the crash. Photo courtesy Alabama State Troopers

TUSCALOOSA, Ala., June 7 (UPI) -- A former NASA astronaut has been charged with murder after a car crash in Alabama killed two young sisters.

James Halsell, Jr.'s Chrysler collided with a Ford Fiesta on a rural highway east of Tuscaloosa just before 3 a.m. on Monday, officials said.

Niomi Deona James, 11, and Jayla Latrick Parler, 13 -- who were not wearing seat belts -- were killed when they were ejected from the car.

Pernell James, 37, the girls' father who was driving the car, and another passenger, 25-year-old Shontel Latriva Cutts, have been also been hospitalized.

Alcohol and speed are possible factors in the crash, according to Reginal King of the Alabama State Troopers.

Halsell, 59, commanded three space shuttle missions and piloted two during his astronaut career. He retired from NASA for the aerospace industry in 2006 and now lives in Huntsville, Ala. He was released from jail on $150,000 bond.

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