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Subscribe to RSSMore than 10,000 people have been injured – 321 of them fatally – in California over the past ten years as a result of high-speed police chases, according to data obtained by NBCLosAngeles.com.
The deaths and injuries have continued apace in the state even after a law was enacted to try to reduce the number of chases and make them less dangerous. In fact, the data show that individual chases have become more deadly since the law went into effect in 2006.
Last year alone, pursuits culminated in crashes that caused 927 injuries and 33 deaths, among them one police officer and eight people who were either passengers or bystanders, according to the data, which was provided to NBC4 by the California Highway Patrol.
In the most recent case, a grisly collision in Los Angeles on Saturday that killed two women and injured three other people at a taco truck in Boyle heights, driver Elba Jimenez, of Upland, will be charged with two counts of murder, felony drunk driving and failing to yield to law enforcement, said a top official at the California Highway Patrol.
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CHP officers said they initiated that chase after Jimenez, who allegedly was weaving in lanes, failed to pull over after they flashed their lights and blared their sirens on I-10 near downtown. They pursued her to Northbound I-5, where Jimenez allegedly exited at Cesar Chavez and plowed into a parking lot filled with people.
“It’s an absolutely tragic situation,” Asst. Commissioner Ramona Prieto told NBC4 on Monday. “My heart goes out to the families, the people who witnessed it, and the people who were injured. It’s a horrible, horrible situation.”
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The CHP plans to investigate the incident, as it does all chases in which someone is injured or killed, she said.
“We have a standardized pursuit critique that carefully looks at every aspect of the pursuit,” Prieto said.
As concerns over high-speed chases have mounted over the years, the CHP has instituted a number of policies aimed at reducing their frequency and danger, Prieto said.
For example, she said, the police agency uses so-called spike strips – pieces of sharp, pointed equipment aimed at blowing out vehicle tires – which are dropped on the road in front of a fleeing car in an effort to disable it.
Graph showing fatalities resulting from police pursuits
The CHP also employs what it calls an "immobilization technique," also known as a "PIT maneuver," in which a squad car bumps a car whose driver is trying to flee in an effort to turn the car around and prevent him or her from driving away, Prieto said.
Officers undergo quarterly training about safety and appropriateness in pursuits, including spending time in a traffic simulator that mimics the experience of chasing a fleeing car.
Other police agencies have implemented stricter policies. The Los Angeles Police Department, for example, no longer engages in high-speed chases of drivers who are only suspected of traffic infractions or misdemeanors.
"They're not pursuing for infractions and things like that, because it became very dangerous," said LAPD Capt. Anne E. Young, who heads the Central Traffic Division.
But many public safety advocates – and families of those killed or injured as a result of high-speed pursuits – say the state and law enforcement agencies aren't doing enough.
“Every chase increases the risk to public and to the police officers,” said Candy Priano of Chico, whose daughter, Kristy, was killed after a police chase in 2002.
Graph showing police pursuits and collisions in California
Priano, who founded the watchdog group Voices Insisting on Pursuit Safety, said pursuit-related crashes kill an average of 30 bystanders every six weeks in the U.S.
The group is developing a legislative committee at the federal and state levels to call for changes in police training, is pushing for a law that would make reporting pursuit information by police agencies mandatory nationally and for stiffening penalties for those who flee police.
The CHP records, collected from the all police agencies in the state, show that the deadliest of the past ten years was 2009, when 42 people were killed in chase-related collisions in the state.
In fact, even though the total number of pursuits has gone down in the state since a law aimed at curbing them went into effect in 2006, the chases appear to actually have become more dangerous.
There was one death for every 228 chases in 2003, a year when California led the nation in police pursuits. The death toll in 2009 amounted to one for every 132 chases.
The casualties have sparked continuous soul-searching among law enforcement agencies, said Prieto of the California Highway Patrol.
“We talk about it frequently,” Prieto said. “Pursuits are a really important question for all law enforcement, because of the liability and the damage that can be caused. … What we do can really hurt or kill someone.”
But, she said, the agency ultimately believes that police agencies need to be able to pursue drivers who may have committed crimes or are driving erratically.
“Sometimes a bigger crime has been committed,” she said.
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Stop the high Speed Chasing. All it does is create more disaster. The criminal element that would lead the Police on a chase will eventually be caught.
No they won't. They will up the robberies because they know they can easily get away. Harsh punishment is the answer. Death to evaders within two weeks publically.
WHT...and if they don't evade, then just chop off their hand? "Death to evaders within two weeks publicly"...get f'n real.
One night around 8 PM I was driving by MacArthur Park and saw (I counted them) 21 of LA's finest following one car, I heard later that this guy was a murder suspect, my point is, they were following him, not on a high speed chase. That was 1972. That was then, this is now.
I am suprised the chase at all, it is no wonder the cowboys just don't draw their six shooter and fire.
There are more deaths with less chases because people know if you act crazy enough the cops will back off. Crazy acts lead to crashes. Once someone starts running, shoot them, they are committing a proven "assault with a deadly weapon". See how many choose not to run if they know they will be shot at! At this rate the policy will become "don't chase anyone" and everyone will try to run even from a broken tail light.
I am not normally fan of law enforcment but I would like to offer this. I was once almost hit by a driver trying to evade police. He was driving a black sports car at 330am in the morning nearly nicked me as he was going about 110 mph. It would killed us both had his vech struck mine. I blame the guy running way not the police. He was probably drunk did not want lose his liscence he probably chose to run and risk it. Some times the police act unfairly with things like shooting mentally handicapped men playing with toy guns. They should be held to account for those kind of acts. Things where criminals endanger normal citizens with high speed pursuits however are not the police's fault. It is the fault of the criminal who is desperate enough to put people's lives in danger to evade arrest. As I said I am not fan of police they often get away conduct no citizen ever could. The issue of high speed chases I feel differently though. If someone is desperate enough to let you die so they can get away from police do you think its really safe for them to keep cruising the streets? That is till one day when the police can finally find them without a vech to run away in?
You run from the law and endanger folks? I say hang them in front of the court house within two weeks, publicly. Then it will stop.
In China, decades ago, they used to behead folks who committed traffic crimes, put their heads in a basket and over the roads.
My belief is that criminals have no fear of going to jail. Why not? Dope, TV recreation and chances are you will be out again in a few years.
Fact: The U.S. incarcerates a higher percentage of its people than any other country in the world, including China. This is because of the War on Drugs, as well as misguided sentencing laws.
So much for law and order.
If we legalize drugs, businesses will not hire dope heads In fact where I work we won't hire folks who test positive for nicotine, much less harsher drugs. Healthcare costs.
Let's stop blaming the cops and put the blame where it belongs....on the horrible thugs that do these kinds of crimes.
These idiots are looking for the evening news to show them live and follow them in hopes that they are recognized while they blaze through cities endangering everyone- in short, stop zooming in on them with a helicopter and giving them exactly what they want! It won't be so enticing to this scum!
Too bad the cops in California don't put this much effort into pursuing illegals (they are criminals too)!
All they have to do is show up at construction sites, farms, meat processing plants and arrest the business owners and his illegal workers.
Local and state law enforcement aren't there to enforce immigration laws. That's a Federal responsibility.
The let the feds do it. As soon as a Republican gets in Romney he can raid all the businesses that hire illegals and I can give him a list. What ya say now??? Duuhhh drool
Willard won't go after Republican Job Creators for hiring illegals. They're his friends.
We have laws? I didnt know that! Eric Holder who in charge of the justice department is a criminal
Like we had solved crime before Obama, huh?
Fact: More illegal immigrants were deported under three years of Obama than under eight years of Bush.
Deportation is a heavy financial and social burden that isn't the answer. Stop illegals from entering the country. End of story. We keep playing games with these beaners who attempt to enter every day and night. Put an end to it. I'd support a minefield along the border. It cost-effective, fool proof, and doesn't require a large staff of border patrol agents. (other than to replace the ones that detonate) Maybe then the Mexicans will think twice before trying to enter illegally.
why dont you let them all go,lol put more on the criminal for what happens dor to the chase . we are too nice to the crimials now days.
Regarding illegals? Reagan pardoned them all remember?
The cops who see the need to pursue and pile on needless bogus eluding charges do this simply because they like to. Have any cops in the family? Ask them after a few drinks. The piling on of charges is simply a way to ensure the poor schlep who was pursued pleads out and doesn't sue the cop. How many have been victimized by this system, gone to jail, had their car wrecked, etc., etc., and never even noticed the cop at the initial contact to begin with?
If some real crook is running, the cops have radio, helicopter, all sorts of things. Let them use this stuff. And if laying off the John Wayne stuff lets some few crooks escape, well big deal. They'll get him again, and in laying off, innocent lives and property will be saved.
“Sometimes a bigger crime has been committed,” she said.
What crime is bigger than the taking or maiming of an innocent life ?
This is because our police know that they are above the law. Laws do no apply to police officers who constantly break them and get away with it. I bet the data would show that it's 'certain' officers who violate, and get away with, this law. SMH
There is no need for high speed chases, especially in Cali, when helicopters can follow criminals more safely.
Sooooo, there are 37,000,000 people that live in California, 32 people per year have died in police chases. They do have a job to do! I'm also sure that if those people were not chased down many more would have died due to what ever illegal activities they were involved in. Like say a drunk driver hitting a van with a family of 5. Find something else to complain about. =)
.......And so the cops follow quietly from behind.......
The drunk crashes into a mini van full of children.........
Then everyone screams,,,,,,Why didnt the police try to stop them...........
Sorry folks , there is no crystal ball to answer whether or not to pursue this law breaker........
Some things have to be left to the trained professionals to do their best....
They are putting their lives on the line too........
Dont Ever Forget That !!!!
It seems people forget about that part.
If there are cops here, be honest. You're anonymous. Admit it! It's fun! High speed chases is what you live for.
Let's leave the urban high-speed chases where they belong—in Hollywood.
Professional driver on a closed course.
Have you lost your mind? Once criminals know the cops won't chase them it will be the wild west on the roads. You're focusing on the wrong side of the equation. Get angry at the idiot who force cops to chase them. Society needs to send a message we won't tolerate that behavior. A vehicle is a deadly weapon when an idiot is behind the whee. Shoot them and eliminate the chase.
just let the crooks do what they want this b s court system and laws will turn them loose, unlimited freedom for everyone has ruined this country, the south was right in 1861
Racist idiot.
Invisible hand-- you've lost touch with reality.
a whopping 82 percent of car chases in California are Mexicans. Dont know what percent are illegals though.
And just exactly what is your source of that statistic?
Police files. But this cant be reported as it would "be racist"
Whose "police files?" Your own personal, anecdotal observations?
It's not the police chases that are the problem; it's the scumbags who initiate them by breaking the law and trying to escape like the mindless cowards that they are. The answer is not to stop chasing them. The answer is to use whatever force necessary to bring the fleeing vehicle to a fast stop. When some creep decides to run, all bets are off the perp forfeits his/her rights to anything. Once the police have an opportunity, they must seize it and use their PIT manuever or whatever is at their disposal to stop the vechile before it has a chance to cause damage. People who flee the cops are spitting in the face of all civilized citizens. They basically giving us the finger and saying I don't respect the law, law enforcement, the public, private property, or myself. Fine. They they deserve no respect or consideration either.
There is only one reason for a high speed chase. That's when the driver of the car has kidnapped people and if he's not stopped, the people in the car with him will either stay hostage or die. Even if the guy has just robbed a bank, putting innocents at risk is a greater crime than robbing the bank.
So, these people wouldn't have been killed if the police didn't give chase...so, this is almost on the cops as much as the criminal. How about doing some detective work and tracking cell phones or using helicopters. That's as stupid as a cop pulling their sidearm and trying to shoot a suspect on a crowded street. I can understand there are times you HAVE to chase someone or you HAVE to shoot at them despite the risks i.e. the risk of not shooting is worse than shooting, but it seems they ALWAYS chase...
Further reason to make drugs legal.
Stop all of this pohlice brutality.
This is obsurd: Criminals are criminals - catch them, put them in jail, preferably leave them there to work without free cable, internet, or anything other than the necessaties...just as Sheriff Joe does in Arizona. As for the criminals running, they are the ones doing the illegal act and trying to get away with it - the police (CHP in this case) are being too nice with allowing them to run. Take some lessons from our Texas DPS officers and Rangers - they don't put up with criminals running and will use deadly force to stop the criminal before they hurt innocent by-standers (and we have no problems with that out here). Not a bad thing - cleans up the criminals really quickly from the streets. If you don't want the officers to chase the criminals....tell the criminals not to do anything illegal - problem solved.
Takes care of witnesses, too
Why they run?
46% were suspected of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
32% were driving stolen vehicles
(The No. 1 circumstance resulting in the death of innocent people. A stolen car is insured and can be replaced.)
20% were afraid they would be beaten.
17% had drugs in their possession.
16% were suspected of being involved in criminal activity of which 12% were for violent crimes
Source: Dr. Geoffrey Alpert did this extensive study for the U.S. Department of Justice. The percentages do not add up to 100% because some suspects answered more than one category when they were interviewed by Dr. Alpert. Statistics are more than 10 years old, but law enforcement agencies still use these statistics.
I see even the good doctor refrained from including ethnic backgrounds in his analysis. He certainly would not want to be labeled as a racist.
How many were illegals?
46% were suspected of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. - ILLEGAL
32% were driving stolen vehicles - ILLEGAL
20% were afraid they would be beaten. - IGNORANCE
17% had drugs in their possession. - ILLEGAL
16% were suspected of being involved in criminal activity of which 12% were for violent crimes - ILLEGAL
Source: Dr. Geoffrey Alpert did this extensive study for the U.S. Department of Justice. - (and probably got paid too much in the process - wasting taxpayers money where it could have gone to Law Enforcement agencies to better assist with catching the criminals with better equipment.)
Sorry....if it's illegal, either don't do it in the first place or don't be more of an idiot and kill/hurt innocent people due to your poor choices. The police WILL eventually catch you anyway.
Good example of TX justice - gunman was inside a local Scott & White hospital threatening innocent people (children included) - TX Officer made the call and "ended the threat" - criminal is dead.
Great, very impressive - let's hand the printout to all cops and have them read it before they decide to chase a suspect. Or, just let every suspect run, and hope we catch them before they do any damage. Maybe if a 12%er eluded police and shoved a gun in your face, you'd think differently.
Increase training, promote restraint where warranted, wind 'em up and let 'em go. Otherwise, just give up on the idea of maintaining order.
The only people I see complaining are those who:
1. Hate cops, or authority of any kind.
2. Love drugs, and have an agenda.
3. Misguided "feel-good" types who believe you can make an omelet without breaking eggs, or live in a free society without risk.
LE types, especially patrol officers, are not machines - they're people. They have a mission that we gave them, along with expectations. Yes, there are some bad ones and some inept ones; find me any, repeat ANY hierarchy without that, and I'll STFU. We trust these public servants with GUNS, and other tools of the trade, one of which is a fast automobile, designed for pursuit where necessary. Taking them to task for a relatively low percentage of collateral damage is not only ridiculous, it's counter-productive from a mission standpoint. The "feel-good" loonies chant: "If it saves one life, it's worth it." Drivel. If you want to promote the illusion of safety and security, lock yourself in a closet, put on your tin-foil hat, and listen to the world pass by outside. Let the rest of us who are adults get on with living our lives in freedom, accepting the day-to-day risks as they arrive.
What's next? Fatal accidents involving fire suppression equipment?
==along with some bad ones===
Why don't the so-called good cops come down on the 'some bad ones'? Don't they understand their letting some corrupt officer continue at work (and usually these bad cops are the beaters, rapists, thieves) makes them bad too? That guy who said people afraid of beating are mistaken? In LA or NYC the beating goes without saying and the Law Enforcement Establishment corrupts itself by constantly ignoring these beatings. Any cops in your family? Just get them a little drunk and stoke them. Then it all comes out.
just take them out, shot them or blow out there tires with a shotgun or any means possible. New law run from the police and you may die, or be injured. You will be stopped by any means available. Rocket launchers would also work.
So to make some cop feel satisfied you make DUI a capital offense? With 0.08 it is already a fraud on the people.