Donald Rotch, a man some described as T.R. Miller's greatest fan, had been driving home from playing golf at the Country Club of Brewton when he was hit head on by a red Pontiac Grand Am driven by Martin Reid, 39.
Brewton Police Chief Monte McGougin said one officer was pursuing Reid after the officer responded to a domestic violence situation in the parking lot of the police station.
"The officer approached, and he started running," McGougin said. The chase proceeded north on U.S. 31 at speeds in excess of 120 miles per hour, officers said. McGougin said Reid was attempting to pass a vehicle when he struck Rotch's SUV almost head on in the southbound lane. Both men were killed instantly, McGougin said.
McGougin said the officer, whom he declined to identify, was about 100 yards behind Reid when the accident occurred.
"He is not on duty now, and is taking this very hard," McGougin said. "He knew both victims well."
McGougin said the crash was being investigated by the Alabama State Troopers Vehicle Homicide Unit. McGougin said it appears the officer acted according to police policy in the chase.
Some bystanders, however, were critical of the chase that cost two people their lives.
Reid's family members were among dozens who waited for word about the accident near a roadblock on the highway.
"Somebody called and told me my brother was in an accident," said Mia Reid, the sister of the man killed. "I really think this is a bad situation. If I had been chasing him, when speeds got to the point it was unsafe to continue, I would have stopped the chase." Some officers on the scene were rude and showed no sympathy, she said.
She said her brother was disabled, but loved to ride and train horses. He was the father of a 2-year-old son, Dillon.
Others at the roadblock were stunned at the news of Rotch's death. Rotch came to T.R. Miller in 1974 and served as a baseball coach, assistant football coach, driver's education teacher, assitant principal and was appointed principal several years ago.
McGougin said Rotch coached him in high school, and the loss would be painful for the town for years to come.
"It's terrible to lose Donnie Rotch," McGougin said, "and it's the same for Martin Reid. His loss will be felt in this town too."
Officials said Rotch had called his wife Jane to let her know he was on his way home for dinner just before 8 p.m. He never arrived, and when she heard sirens, she went looking for him, officials said. Police met her at the road block and told her about his death.
"This is a bad day for Brewton," said Mayor Ted Jennings. "It will be a bad day for a long time to come."
Hours after the accident, the roadway remained closed as workers cleared the debris and vehicles from the highway. Rotch's vehicle lay on its side, the hood severely twisted and shoved into the driver's side. About 50 yards away, the red Grand Am sat crumpled in the opposite ditch with debris strewn all in between.
McGougin said both bodies would be transported to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for autopsy.
Teachers were notified of Rotch's death and were told to prepare for grief counseling on Thursday.
Outside the school office, just a few miles from the crash scene, someone had placed a memorial of red and white flowers, a wooden cross and a red balloon that said "I love you" at Rotch's parking spot.
"He loved T.R. Miller like you wouldn't believe," Jennings said, "and T.R. Miller loved him back.
Source:AL.com
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