Mother sues over injuries to son from police chase

6/6/2006

A Toledo woman sued the city in Lucas County Common Pleas Court yesterday for injuries her son sustained in 2004 as a result of a collision that occurred during a police pursuit on I-475.

Tiffany Stephens, of 327 Haven Rd., is seeking more than $25,000 for injuries suffered by her son in the June 5 accident in the westbound lanes of I-475, just west of Secor Road.

Javon Stephens, whose age was unavailable, was a passenger in the vehicle of Monica Austin.

Her pickup was struck head-on by Shaun Barney, who was going the wrong way during the pursuit. Barney, who led police on a 45-minute chase, and Toledo police Lt. Randy Pepitone also were named as defendants.

Barney, 38, of East Toledo, was sentenced in Common Pleas Court to three years, three months in prison. He was convicted in August, 2004, for assault, vehicular assault, and failure to comply with the order of a police officer.