If your loved one was killed in a crash with a police squad car, you need the help of an experienced accident attorney. The Pritzker Hageman Accident Legal Team helps families get the compensation and justice they deserve.
Our lawyers help minnesota families get justice when loved ones are injured or killed in other states.
Our legal team has experience winning against police departments in accident cases like this one.
A northern Minnesota couple was struck and killed by a North Carolina patrol car in pursuit of a suspect. The tragic crash happened last Friday afternoon in Spring Lake, near Fayetteville, North Carolina. Brian and Patricia Finch were crossing an intersection at Highway 210 and Ray Road when they were struck by a squad car chasing a suspect in a pick-up truck. Sadly, Patricia died at the scene and Brian’s death was later confirmed at a nearby hospital.
Authorities say the suspect escaped by driving through the intersection before the deadly crash. The squad car was driven by Harnett County Deputy Kevin Joseph LeTarte. LeTarte was injured in the crash and transported to Womack Army Medical Center.
The crash is under investigation. Witnesses told WRAL News that the Finchs’ black truck was crossing Highway 210 on a green light when a southbound patrol car crashed into their vehicle. One North Carolina resident said the patrol car was driving “fast, crazy [and] not paying attention.” Another witness tried to use a box cutter to cut the Finchs’ seat belts off. He said, “I wanted them to live.”
Friends and Family Honor Minnesota Couple Killed by North Carolina Squad Car
Brian and Patricia (Pat) Finch, ages 65 and 64, respectively, lived in East Gull Lake, Minnesota. Pat worked as a school counselor for 29 years before her retirement in 2019. Brian worked at Crow Wing Power. Friends wrote, “Our hearts are broken and we are devastated. We will forever cherish our memories with these two beautiful people.”
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Rising Number of Bystander Deaths in Police Pursuit Crashes
An investigation by WCNC Charlotte found a record number of bystander deaths in police pursuit crashes over the last four decades. Federal data shows that the number of innocent lives lost in police pursuit crashes has more than tripled since 1982. And this does not even include the number of deaths that never get reported. Safety experts say federal data for deadly police pursuits are vastly underreported due to a lack of mandatory reporting. In the state of North Carolina, law enforcement agencies send data to the government based on what police enter in their crash reports.
As more innocent people die every day, the public demands more restraint and accountability from officers. Safety experts recommend requiring law enforcement to report every pursuit crash and death to the government. Back in 1996, federal officials recommended establishing a model to collect pursuit statistics in a Department of Justice report. Reporters with WCNC Charlotte have reached out to several members of Congress about the issue, but most have yet to respond.
Accident and Wrongful Death Lawsuit Information
The Pritzker Hageman accident attorneys help families who lost a loved one in wrongful death lawsuits across the country. While no amount of money could ever make up for your loss, filing a wrongful death lawsuit will help your family recover damages including the following:
- Mental pain and suffering
- Loss of support and service
- Funeral expenses
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
If you would like to talk to an accident lawyer about your case, please call 612-338-0202, text 612-261-0856, or fill out the form below.