The family of a man killed by a driver fleeing from police is suing four officers and the City of Independence. The lawsuit claims negligence on the part of the officers and alleges a cover-up. The city is also accused of fostering a dangerous culture of high-speed chases. Katie Moore reported
Family of Man Killed in Police Chase Sues Officers and City of Independence
Introduction
The family of a man who tragically lost his life after being struck by a driver fleeing from the police has filed a lawsuit against four police officers and the City of Independence. This incident occurred near Scott Avenue and Winner Road on March 22, resulting in the death of Jake Monteer, aged 41, and Jessica Fields, aged 42. The lawsuit, brought forward by Jake Monteer’s parents, David and Terri Monteer, alleges negligence on the part of the officers involved in the pursuit, as well as inadequate training and a permissive culture regarding high-speed chases within the Independence Police Department.
The Tragic Incident
Jake Monteer and Jessica Fields were innocent bystanders who fell victim to a collision caused by a driver fleeing from the police. The lawsuit claims that Officers Joshua Gena, Robert Romey, Jeremie Stauch, and Eric Simpson were negligent in their pursuit of the driver, who was seen entering a vehicle that was allegedly stolen. According to the lawsuit, the officers failed to immobilize the vehicle and prevent the chase, and subsequently placed stop sticks at a dangerous location. As a result, the driver collided with Jake Monteer’s motorcycle, leading to his immediate death at the scene, while Jessica Fields was transported to a hospital where she was pronounced deceased.
Allegations of a Cover-Up
The lawsuit further alleges that the officers involved failed to take pictures at the scene or interview witnesses, suggesting an attempt to cover up the dangerous and negligent use of the stop sticks at the intersection. This raises concerns about the transparency and accountability of the officers’ actions.
Legal Actions Taken
Following the fatal collision, the suspect was apprehended by the police. The driver, identified as 27-year-old Melvin Brown, has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder, fleeing, leaving the scene of an accident, and tampering with a motor vehicle. Brown’s trial is scheduled to begin in March, according to court documents.
Critical Examination of Police Practices
The lawsuit also targets the City of Independence, accusing them of failing to properly train officers and fostering a “wild west” culture when it comes to vehicle pursuits. By bringing this legal action, the Monteer family hopes to prompt the City of Independence to reevaluate its policies and put an end to high-speed chases that endanger innocent lives in exchange for recovering stolen vehicles.
A Troubling Pattern
This incident is not an isolated case, as the Independence Police Department has been involved in several deadly chases. In a previous incident in September, a high-speed pursuit ended tragically when a driver being pursued crashed into a bystander’s car, resulting in the death of a 50-year-old woman. Similarly, in 2018, Independence officers pursued a woman in a stolen vehicle, which ultimately led to a collision with an uninvolved Dodge. This incident claimed the lives of three people in the Dodge and a passenger in the stolen vehicle.
Response from the City of Independence
At the time of reporting, the City of Independence and the Independence Police Department have not yet responded to the lawsuit or provided any comment regarding the allegations made against them.
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