Michigan families pursue justice against police after fatal pursuits

Justice is sought by the families of two men who were killed in West Michigan while being hunted by police. A Kent County Sheriff’s officer struck a 17-year-old, and a Michigan State Police car struck a 25-year-old.

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    Two police officers from Michigan involved in pursuits that ended in the suspect’s death
    
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    They happened nine days apart, ending the same way
    
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    Families say there needs to be change
    

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  Two police officers from Michigan involved in pursuits that ended in the suspect’s death
  
• 
  They happened nine days apart, ending the same way
  
• 
  Families say there needs to be change
  

(FOX 2):The families of two individuals who lost their lives as a result of police pursuits in Michigan are demanding that the officers face punishment.

Both incidents, one involving a state trooper and the other a sheriff’s deputy, took place on Michigan’s west side.

Overview:

Families this week focused their pleas for police change and justice on the killings of 17-year-old Riley Doggett and 25-year-old Samuel Sterling, both of whom died in the Grand Rapids area.

After being pinned against the wall of a Grand Rapids Burger King, Sterling suffered injuries that ultimately led to his death. He hit Sterling with his automobile while the state trooper was pursuing him because he had an active warrant.

Since then, the involved cop has been charged with a crime.

The Kent County prosecutor, however, decided not to file charges against Doggett because he believed the deputy had acted within the bounds of his authority.

In that instance, the police was pursuing the 17-year-old for property violations when he drove onto the sidewalk.

What they’re saying:

Since then, the families of both victims have sued the cops in civil court.

“I was deeply affected by this situation involving my son. A toll out of me,” Sterling’s mother, Andrica Cage, said.

Michael, Sterling’s father, claimed the officer knew he was at fault.

“After twenty-five years on the force, he knew better,” he added.

Doggett’s mother, Becky Wilbert, called the event “tormenting.”

“We spent 31 days in the hospital praying for a miracle that didn t happen,” she stated.

One of the two attorneys suing the police, Ven Johnson, said the cases were an indication of a problem in west Michigan.

“The similarity, nine days apart, it shows you there is an inherit problem in west Michigan but in particular the Grand Rapids community,” he stated.

Next steps:

Regarding ongoing litigation, Kent County Sheriff’s Department and Michigan State Police declined to comment.

The court is presently considering both of these cases.