BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) – A state senator gathered families at the Capital in hopes of creating a task force on safety for officers involved in high-speed chases.
“We just need to get it out of our mouths that we’re here for the event that happened to us that might have started the ball in motion, but we’re here today to save lives,” said Randle Dunn.
Dunn is still grieving the loss of his daughter, 17-year-old Maggie Dunn. She and 16-year-old Caroline Gill were killed during a high-speed chase in West Baton Rouge Parish on New Year’s Eve. Liam Dunn, Maggie’s younger brother, was seriously injured in the crash.
“86 miles an hour and did not tap the breaks. There are testimonies behind it, there are cops who testified to that. How do we stop that?” said Jason Gill, father of Caroline Gill.
The committee and parents discussed pursuit protocols, policies and an app called Pursuit Alert that tells drivers if a chase is coming towards them.
Law enforcement made it clear that it’s not always possible to avoid a pursuit, but they can re-examine the reasons for one. The committee is urging them on when to have a high-speed chase and when not to.
“I should be walking my child across the field as the homecoming court member tonight, and I’m instead here today,” said Erin Martin.
Duson Chief of Police Kip Judice said chiefs and sheriffs are ready to put this as a priority. Kleinpeter said they’ll have as many meetings as needed until there is a change.
