Photo: GoFundMe
The suit states that Dana Sowards, 31, was killed on April 17 when a suspected drug dealer ran a red light, entered a busy intersection at 90-plus miles per hour, and slammed into the young mother’s car while allegedly trying to evade arrest.
Police had been pursuing Tommy Morris Jr., 54, at the time of the crash. According to Greene County court records, Morris is now charged with second-degree murder in Sowards’ death. He is also charged with attempting to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute because police allege a post-accident search of Morris’ vehicle turned up a backpack containing 60 grams of methamphetamine.
He hasn’t pleaded to any of the charges and attorney information for him was not immediately available.
The suit further alleges the four officers failed to call off the pursuit despite the increasingly erratic maneuvers Morris allegedly made in his efforts to flee.
The civil filing also accuses officers of lying to supervisors in an effort to keep the chase active in violation of department policy.
In the five minutes leading up to the crash, police chased after Morris at speeds in excess of 90 miles per hours, according to the lawsuit.
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The civil suit alleges “negligent acts or omissions” of the Springfield narcotics detectives “caused, or directly contributed to cause, Dana Sowards’ death.”
None of the four officers has an attorney of record, and efforts to reach them for comment were unsuccessful Tuesday.
Cora Scott, a spokeswoman for the city of Springfield, declined to comment on the suit.
source: people.com
