Voices Insisting on PursuitSAFETY
PursuitSAFETY, a national nonprofit organization, is working for a safer way — working to save lives.
'24' Actor Glenn Morshower on public safety & police chases“It has everything to do with risk versus reward. In many cases, where the suspect poses no immediate danger to the public, it's the chase itself that causes the threat. This is not an anti-police campaign. I am a huge supporter of what it is police do. I just believe policy and procedure are there for a reason and need to be followed." Read More.
Breaking News from NBC: While innocent bystander Chris Cooper bled, Officer Anthony Smith's dash cam captured police laughing and someone saying,
"They're like roaches, man. They don't die."
Tragic Emergency-Response Calls: Steven's Story
Innocent Bystanders Killed: Not one of these deaths resulted from a chase to catch a murderer, rapist or pedophile.
Sarah Phillips, 20
"Sarah, ever since the day you were born & I ran around telling everyone you really were a beautiful baby, I have tried to be a good father."
—The late Jim Phillips, founder of PursuitWatch.org
Tabatha Berg, 3
"Tabatha was the centre of our world."
—Renee and Dean Berg,
Tabatha's Parents
Brandon Harper, 26
"I wish I knew which galaxy he's in. I would take a rocket there."
—Catherine Harper, Brandon's Mom
Kristie Priano, 15
"Kristie often spoke about her love for Jesus. When I think of Kristie's endless energy, I can just see Jesus wiping His brow as He tries to keep up with our little 'spark plug'!"
—Candy Priano, Kristie's Mom
Christopher Cooper, 17
"Chris was a joy and a light in our lives. We have lost that which gave our lives purpose and meaning."
—Cheryl Cooper, Chris' Mom
Desiree Guzman, 14
"Desiree's delightful personality and moral character continues to set an example for all who knew her. She had dreams of going to college."
—Ron and Adell Guzman, Desiree's Parents
Bernice Martinez, 43
We are told they don't chase in, or near, school zones. Yet, the headline reads, "Crash kills woman and 3 teens." Bernice had just picked up her two daughters and Desiree Guzman from a Stockton, CA, school.
Ashley Martinez, 14
Ashley Martinez and Desiree Guzman were best friends. The girls were always together. See Desiree's story on previous panel, bottom right.
Christina Martinez, 16
Christina was helping her mom decorate their new dining room. The furniture had not even arrived yet.
Steven Aveles, 20
"I am lost. I can't go on. I am torn!!!!! Believe I am having a hard time just writing you this (Broken and Crying). Lost and Lonely Mother"
— RoseMarie Felix
Maggie Lunsford, 9
"Our family will never be the same without Maggie's bright smile and vivacious character. Losing a child at 9 years old is unimaginable."
—Lizzy Lee, the girls' sister & creator of the Linsay & Maggie Web site
Linsay Lunsford, 18
"Linsay participated in a bible study with her friends at college. Linsay had a strong faith, and she loved the Lord with all her heart."
—Lizzy Lee, the girls' sister & creator of the Linsay & Maggie Web site
Teale Sisson, 9
"Teale was the sweetest little girl. She was on her way to the fair. We still have her fair ticket. For us, she will always be on her way to the fair."
—Teri Sisson, Teale's Aunt
Cody Morrison, 22
"Our grandson Brody is a mirror image of Cody when he was a toddler. At times it makes it a little tougher for Denise and me, but Brody is a Godsend."
—Mark Morrison, Cody's Dad
Johnny Kallmeyer, 54
My brother Johnny was a year older than me — one of 14 siblings. A Vietnam army veteran, he raised horses and taught us how to ride. Johnny was very generous and had the kindest heart.
—Margaret Geier, Johnny's Sister
Grashunda "Shunda" Banks, 22
From Shunda's eulogy: She gave the pastor her hand and God her heart. Shunda, a senior at Georgia State University, had plans: "I will return home and become a kindergarten teacher."
Margaret Branton, 63
A chase for a shoplifter killed two innocent people and an unborn baby. Margaret and her son Lonnie Turner, 37, were killed instantly. Lonnie's wife was injured and their unborn baby died.
Frances Martin, 25
Daughter Kathy writes on June 17, 2006: "We three children had our mother taken away from us at such a young age. My brother Marion, it was his 6th birthday. I was 3; Larry was 18 months. It was our parent's wedding anniversary July 3, 1954."
Halley Simone Lee, 9 months
When informed by physicians that Halley was brain dead, the parents, held a 24-hour vigil, hoping Halley would somehow survive.
Talmin Moye Jr., 3
Talmin was a passenger in his dad's car. They were heading for some yummy treats: a pancake breakfast. The reason for this chase: A stolen car.
Kristin Saragusa, 38
Mother of Two
"Kristin’s spirit did not die . . . . it will live forever. She will always be in our hearts and minds."
—Jim and Pat Saragusa,
Kristin's Parents
Toni Sena
Toni was killed on a quiet residential street in Kansas City. She was riding a bike with her husband at the time. Multiple units were chasing a known suspect involved in a domestic disturbance case.
Sgt. Joanna Joy Ringer, 21
Soldiers at Fort Benning remembered Joanna for her life. She was 4 feet eleven and tipped the scales at 92 pounds. Her commander said she was small in stature but a giant in love.
Bridgett Denise Sing, 20
"My sister was leaving a McDonald's. Arkansas State Police were chasing a driver for tags that didn't match the car. This 120-mph chase killed my sister & her unborn baby."
—Bronc Sing, Bridgett's Brother
Katie Bogosian, 25
Katie was on her way to pick up her son (pictured here) from a daycare school.
Cornell Yancy, 44
"I can't believe he's gone," said Penny Paul who was supposed to marry Cornell . The reason for the chase: stolen vehicle. Cornell's car was ripped to pieces after being struck.
–Reported by CBS News
Jennifer Kois, 19
"Jennifer and Jake were a special couple. Even though they dated just a short time, you could see the love they had for each other in their eyes. ... This was not an accident, but a deliberate act of violence ..."
—Kois/VonFeldt Family Statement
Daniel Dawson, 36
“I miss his laugh. He was an incredible singer. I miss that. I heard a church song this morning that he sang, and I could hear him singing it. I will always miss that.”
–Paul Reed, Daniel’s brother-in-law
Jessica "Eca" Mohorko, 18
Jessica was on a date with boyfriend Christopher Haynes, when a CHP cruiser chasing a speeder at 90 mph without lights and sirens slammed into Christopher's car. The CHP stated, "There's nothing wrong with our policies."
Jake Brock, 19
Friends say Jacob Brock was intense on the track, intense on the soccer field and a bit of a jokester when the coaches weren’t looking.
–Reported in Vail Daily
10-year-old Miriam Avraham killed for a piece of property |
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More than 3,000 innocent bystanders killed since 1982. Every week innocent bystanders are killed and thousands are injured annually in the United States (NHTSA fatality reports from 1982 to 2007). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration admits these figures are underreported because reporting is not mandatory. Others believe there could be 3-4 times as many deaths — deaths that were predictable and preventable.