Dog the Bounty Hunter’s Son Placed on Leave After Fatal Chase That Killed Teenager

Garry Chapman, the son of Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman, has been placed on administrative leave following a high-speed police chase in Alabama that ended in the death of a teenager, as reported by The New York Post.

Chapman, 24, is a police officer with the Priceville Police Department. According to WHNT, he initiated a pursuit Saturday night of a vehicle suspected of DUI and moving violations.

The dead teenager (case linked⬇️) is Tristan Hollis. The cop who hunted him to death is Garry Chapman, son of Dog the Bounty Hunter, who is an Alabama cop. Chapman hunted a car full of teen boys into a fatal wreck. 1 dead, 5 boys injured. The fatal crash was outside of his… https://t.co/fOGEb3RTGc pic.twitter.com/w4SSWmIHjv

— IncarcerNation.com (@IncarcerNation) September 10, 2025

The chase crossed into neighboring Hartselle, Alabama, where the suspect’s vehicle collided with a minivan carrying several teenagers.

The crash occurred around 8:30 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 31 and Highway 36. Police said the fleeing driver, identified as Archie Hale, lost control and slammed into the minivan.

Seventeen-year-old Tristan Hollis, a passenger in the van, was transported to a hospital but later pronounced dead.

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Three other teens were hospitalized with serious injuries. They were identified as brothers Noah Prater, 16, and Gavin Prater, 14, along with Braxton Wales.

According to fundraisers set up for the families, Gavin was placed in the pediatric intensive care unit, while Noah remained hospitalized in the ICU.

Hale and a passenger in his vehicle were also injured and remain hospitalized. Police have not yet filed charges but are expected to do so once Hale’s condition stabilizes, WAFF reported.

Priceville Police Chief Jerry Holmes confirmed that Chapman was placed on leave with pay as part of department protocol. “I would like to add that we extend our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to all those impacted by this tragedy,” Holmes said.

Hartselle Police Chief Alan McDearmond said his department is leading the investigation. “This is a complex and in-depth investigation. As such, it will take time and will not be concluded in the near future,” McDearmond told reporters.

Hollis was remembered Monday during a prayer vigil at Hartselle High School. His obituary described him as a polite young man who had just celebrated his 17th birthday and recently purchased his first car. “He will be missed by those who knew and loved him,” the obituary read.

Chapman, who has appeared in multiple seasons of his father’s television series, including Dog the Bounty Hunter, Dog and Beth: On the Hunt, and Dog’s Most Wanted, has shared images of himself in uniform on social media.

Congratulations to my son Garry Chapman we are all so proud of you, son!#thedogcast #dogthebountyhunter #garrychapman #dogchapman #podcast pic.twitter.com/0VmaZ5PXj4

— Duane Dog Chapman (@DogBountyHunter) April 18, 2025

Saturday’s incident marked one of the most serious events of his short law enforcement career.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities review the circumstances that led to the fatal collision.

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