A former police officer from Tuscumbia has been sentenced to two decades behind bars following his admission of guilt in a tragic manslaughter case involving the death of a pedestrian. The incident occurred in October 2022 when Jay Steward, while operating a police cruiser under the influence of alcohol, struck and killed Terry Hinton, who was simply checking his mailbox at the time.
On August 13th, Steward pleaded guilty to the charge of manslaughter, a significant shift from the initial accusation of reckless murder. The events leading to this tragic outcome unfolded when Steward, off duty, was driving the police vehicle at an alarming speed of approximately ninety miles per hour. The court’s decision on Tuesday reflects the severity of the actions that led to Hinton’s untimely death, underscoring the consequences of impaired driving and the responsibilities that come with law enforcement.