Police chief and injury attorney speak on risks of police pursuits following fatal crash

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ( WIAT ) — The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has taken over the investigation into a crash that took the life of one woman following a police chase on I-59 involving Bessemer Police Monday.

Calera Police Chief David Hyche said he could not speak directly to the pursuit, but said officer involved pursuits can often be risky.

“It’s a tough situation, it’s a tough call,” said Chief Hyche.

Chief Hyche said his department, like many others, have been involved in police chases.

Hyche said his department has access to new technology that can be used to avoid bystanders in the case of a pursuit, but he said overall the situation comes down to a tough decision.

“Because if you call one off, the suspects not necessarily going to stop fleeing and then if somebody is injured when they’re fleeing you may be held accountable because you did call the pursuit off,” said Chief Hyche.

Injuries or fatalities is a result Chief Hyche said he always wants to avoid.

“I think it’s tragic when these happen, because if it were me that would be a tough call to make,” said Norris Injury Lawyers President Stephen Norris.

Norris said injuries as a result police chases could result in a civil liability, that’s if it can be proven of the departments negligence.

“They do have a certain amount of immunity being civil servants, but if they don’t follow their department procedures they could be exposed to the liability,” said Norris.

Norris said it’s rare for someone to file a claim against the police if injuries or death are a result of a chase.

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