Suit blames police for fatal car crash
Lawyer says cops failed to use a siren in chase
October 16, 2002

By BEN SCHMITT - Source: Detroit Free Press

During a chase last week, two Detroit Police officers sped through a red light without using their car's flashing lights or siren and crashed into a vehicle, killing the passenger, according to a lawsuit against the city filed Tuesday.

The suit alleges that the officers, who work in tactical services, swerved around several cars as they raced through the intersection of Mt. Elliott and Vernor at 11:30 p.m. Oct. 7.

Their car crashed into a Ford Crown Victoria driven by Priscilla Woodyard, 67, of Detroit. Woodyard's 45-year-old son, Melvin Woodyard, was killed.

Robert Giroux, a lawyer with the Southfield law firm run by Geoffrey Fieger, said he has two witnesses to back the claims in the suit, filed on behalf of the Woodyard family, in Wayne County Circuit Court.

"They had no flashing lights or sirens on, according to the witnesses," Giroux said.

Police Cmdr. Donald Parshall of the internal affairs division said the accident is under investigation. He declined further comment.

Deputy Chief Harold Cureton said a criminal investigation has been completed and findings were turned over to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office. He declined to say what the investigation found.

The suit, which alleges gross negligence, does not identify the officers. Police have not released the names. Police also have not commented on why the officers were chasing a suspect.

Chief Jerry Oliver's staff recently revised the police manual for the first time in 30 years. The manual, which still must be approved by the Police Commission, requires officers to have a strong reason, such as a suspected felony, before engaging in a high-speed auto chase.

Fieger said in a statement released Tuesday, "The Detroit Police Department historically has engaged in unnecessary and improper police chases which put the lives of all citizens at risk."