Stolen purse feared lost-2 children watch their father burn to death                                                                                                  Back
It really isn't important whether or not the pursuit was done according to policy. The image that this headline portrays is horrifying. On Thursday night, July 31, Walter Brewer, chairman of the Florida Citrus Commission, was returning from the video store with his 2 young sons, John (13) and James (10), when they were hit by a fleeing vehicle which lost control after striking tire deflation devices. The tragic end of a high-speed pursuit begun as a result of a purse snatching. Brewer's sons were rescued from the vehicle and watched as their father, trapped behind the steering wheel, burned to death. The driver of the fleeing car also died, her passenger-the purse snatcher-is in critical condition. I guess you could say they caught the bad guy.     You may follow the evolving story at  Sun-Herald.com
Article Links:
Cops say chase was justified 8/01/03
Bradenton woman named as second killed in DeSoto wreck 8/02/03
FDLE investigates crash 8/04/03
Google News listing

Considering the life or death consequences of police pursuit and pursuit policies is is astounding how antiquated, superficial and incomplete the Desoto and Charlotte County pursuit policies are. Police pursuit has been recognized a a use-of-force issue for some time and is certainly due the same attention to detail that is accorded to the discharge of firearms.
View the policies here

 

©2003 PursuitWatch  All Rights Reserved.
...

Hosted by NetworkEleven
150 MB for as little as $6.95/month
Please mention PursuitWatch.org