Personal Injury Law

Police Pursue Suspects With Two Kids In Car

By Eddie Farah

High speed chases usually end badly. When law enforcement tries to apprehend a suspect through residential neighborhoods, innocent bystanders are frequently the victims. By NHTSA's estimates three people a week are killed in U.S. police pursuits.

And when you consider that the pursuit is usually to recover a stolen car, there is no comparison to a life lost. This story brings a new dimension to the frightening prospect of a police chase. 

Three suspects were spotted breaking the window of a pickup truck in an Orange Park parking lot. When someone asked what they were doing, they took off in their Pontiac Grand Am. That's when Clay County, Florida deputies launched into a high speed pursuit of the two women and one man.  

The witness called 911 and provided police with the license plate's first two numbers. With police in pursuit, the Grand Am headed north on Blanding Boulevard. Lights and sirens blaring, the Grand Am sped up.

After turning into a neighborhood and becoming trapped in a cul-de-sac, the three were taken into custody, two women, ages 20 and 30 and a 27 year old man.  Police also found more than they bargained for.

A two-year-old and a five-year-old were in the back seat of the car without any car seats or restraints.

Now the adults are facing charges of attempted grand theft auto, attempt to elude, and child neglect.

The kids have been turned over to the Florida Department of Children and Families.  No word on whose children they were.

Needless to say, this is just more evidence that high speed pursuits can have deadly consequences for the innocent bystanders in the road and now in the car. #

Full post as published by Jacksonville Personal Injury Lawyer on April 25, 2008 (boomark / email).