Authorities release in-car video of fatal police chase
7/31/2014LIMA, Ohio — After public outcry surrounding a fatal police pursuit Friday, police released in-car video from the involved officer.
July 25 police pursuit in Lima, Ohio from THE BLADE on Vimeo.
The 1-minute, 25-second video shows an officer waiting at a traffic light at 12:47 a.m. and then turning left onto East Kibby Street at McPheron Avenue to follow a van. The driver of the van speeds off, initiating a pursuit, and runs a red light at East Kibby and South Central Avenue.
The suspect vehicle, driven by a juvenile, struck another vehicle and Devontae Williams, 21, of Lima was killed, police said. Mr. Williams was a passenger in the vehicle that was struck by the suspect vehicle. Mr. Williams was pronounced dead at St. Rita’s Medical Center.
After the crash, the officer can be heard on video yelling for the suspects to get on the ground. At least two people got out of the van and got onto the road.
Police released the video Wednesday because “there is a lot of speculation about what occurred during this incident,” according to a post on the department's Facebook page.
Sgt. Andy Green, the Lima police spokesman, was not available for comment Wednesday.