Teen Struck by Police Vehicle, Officers Assert He Collided with the SUV | Carscoops

      Video evidence supports allegations that Baltimore officers use SUVs as weapons during arrests.

      A lawsuit claims that the Baltimore Police employ vehicles to exert force, highlighted by an incident where a teenager was run over by a police SUV during a pursuit in 2021. Findings from the Department of Justice are referenced to back claims of a wider pattern of misconduct.

      There's no denying the challenges law enforcement faces, as they confront potential danger daily. However, with this responsibility comes the obligation to protect and serve, making any instances of excessive force significant.

      One specific case in Baltimore indicates that officers may be using police vehicles as instruments of harm, and the footage from the incident is concerning.

      The lawsuit relates to a June 2021 episode involving Devonte Jett, then 16, who was allegedly fleeing police responding to a reported carjacking when he was hit by a Baltimore Police Ford Explorer in the Harlem Park area.

      Records from a police helicopter captured aerial footage of Jett running across an open field while being pursued by an officer with a drawn weapon. Shortly thereafter, another officer, named in the lawsuit as Steven Reed, drove the SUV directly at Jett, running him down and rendering him unconscious.

      According to the lawsuit, Jett suffered what is believed to be a concussion, as well as lung and pelvic injuries, leading to months of physical therapy and ongoing emotional turmoil. His attorneys argue that the video evidence contradicts the officers’ accounts, which state that Jett ran into a marked patrol vehicle and reached for his waistband during the pursuit.

      Jett's legal team asserts that this incident is part of a larger trend. To substantiate claims of a systemic "pattern and practice," the lawsuit refers to previous cases and findings from a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into the Baltimore Police Department.

      In an unrelated incident that seems to lend credence to this situation, another Baltimore officer was filmed appearing to attempt to strike a citizen in a grassy area. After missing, a brief chase ensued, culminating in the officer crashing before the footage concluded.

      In that case, the officer was suspended, highlighting a troubling distinction as Jett's associated officer did not face any disciplinary action.

      Baltimore city officials have opted not to comment on these allegations, stating the matter will be handled in court. Police spokesperson Lindsey Eldridge confirmed that an internal investigation into Reed has concluded, but the findings have not been made public.

      Interestingly, the Baltimore PD recently faced scrutiny for an incident involving one of its officers hitting a detective who was on foot pursuing a suspect. This raises questions about the driving abilities within the department.

      Other police departments are also facing criticism for similar behavior. Numerous states have instances where officers purportedly use their vehicles as weapons. For example, in Arkansas, officers have been known to utilize dangerous PIT maneuvers at high speeds, often avoiding repercussions even when they mistakenly target the wrong vehicle. Meanwhile, in New York, police have been criticized for seemingly running down mopeds or individuals fleeing on foot.

      While it’s clear that criminals escaping from law enforcement should face consequences, the justification for running over someone who is fleeing yet not posing an immediate threat raises concerns about the integrity of the officers involved.