PRESS RELEASE: MURPHY FALCON & MURPHY FILES LAWSUIT FOR VICTIM WHO WAS KILLED IN HIGH-SPEED POLICE CHASE
MURPHY, FALCON & MURPHY FILES LAWSUIT ON BEHALF OF A MAN WHO WAS KILLED IN A HIGH-RISK, HIGH-SPEED POLICE PURSUIT
CONTACT: Zachary McDaniels, Murphy, Falcon & Murphy
aerial.griffin@murphyfalcon.com
410-539-6500
BALTIMORE CITY, MARYLAND. –– Today, attorneys William “Billy” Murphy Jr., Andrew K. O’Connell and Nikoletta S. Mendrinos of Murphy, Falcon & Murphy filed a lawsuit on behalf of Darius Gore and Gary Tyson. Darius Gore died when his car was hit by a woman who was fleeing from the police. The lawsuit names the Baltimore City Police Department, Officer Felix Torres, Officer Johnta Gray, and Officer Zachary Franks as defendants. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court of Maryland, alleging that the Baltimore City Police Department has engaged in a pattern and practice of high-risk and high-speed pursuits over the years that have killed numerous innocent bystanders.
On the evening of March 21, 2020, Baltimore City Police Officers engaged in a high-speed chase that began at the 2600 block of W. Patapsco on the southwestern side of the City, near Cherry Hill, and ended all the way on the northwestern side, in Ashburton. It was about 11 miles long, with speeds going over the limit by 20 to 30 miles per hour at times, and it lasted for over 6 minutes. It went through the City, through tens of intersections, residential areas, narrow streets, passing two schools and a hospital. There were multiple traffic violations and multiple stop signs were blown.
As multiple police officers chased the car, which was also being followed by a police helicopter, it t-boned Darius Gore’s car, causing it to spin and hit another car. Gary Tyson, a passenger in Darius’ car, broke his left leg and two ribs. Darius Gore’s neck was broken, and he suffered an acute brain bleed. He was taken to the hospital where he underwent surgery to remove parts of his skull, but he remained in a coma. He died a little less than a month later, on April 17, 2020. “The reckless actions of these officers led to the death of our client. They showed absolutely no regard for the citizens and neighborhoods they placed in harm’s way. We will get justice for Darius Gore.” Nikoletta Mendrinos
Rowenna Simmons, Darius Gore’s mother, feels that the pursuit was senseless and unnecessary. The woman who was fleeing the police was in a vehicle that was stolen, which was pinging its location through GPS. The woman was being pursued for a non-violent crime against property, which according to Baltimore City Police Departmental regulations, is not a basis to pursue. Even if there was a basis to pursue, once the officers realized that this pursuit was traveling at recklessly high speeds through the City and that they could locate the vehicle later, they should have terminated the pursuit. Darius’ death was totally unnecessary and completely preventable. Ms. Simmons said, “I will never have another opportunity to hug my son again because the Baltimore City Police decided a vehicle was worth more than his life. It’s time for the police to be held accountable for the devastation and suffering that they have caused my family and everyone else who loved Darius.”
To this day, the Baltimore City Police Department has refused to turn over its investigation files, citing on ongoing investigation.
Murphy, Falcon & Murphy is a Baltimore-based law firm specializing in complex civil, criminal, and civil rights litigation. Our powerhouse legal team has a history of unrelenting dedication to its clients in Baltimore and across the country. Our team of seasoned trial lawyers has extensive experience in a wide variety of cases with success rates that dwarf national averages and is dedicated to providing smart strategies and creative approaches to complex litigation. Our team is driven and strategy-focused —characteristics that have helped us secure more than $900 million in verdicts and settlements, including over $75 Million in police cases throughout the country. Our attorneys have won some of the largest verdicts in high-profile, high-stakes cases in some of the toughest jurisdictions around the country. The firm represented Freddie Gray, Jr. and William H. Green, achieving historic settlements of $6.4 million and $20 million, respectively, for federal and state civil rights violations that led to their deaths.
*Each case is different. Past success does not guarantee a favorable result in any future case.