Grieving relatives are asking questions about the Irving police chase that resulted in four deaths on Thursday. The police investigation continues and it includes whether Irving chase policy was followed. Ken Kalthoff has the story.
A portion of Irving Police dashcam video was shared Thursday showing the fiery end to a police chase that killed four people in Dallas early Thursday morning.
Irving Police said officers spotted a vehicle that had been reported stolen about 2 a.m. Thursday and tried to stop the driver along the 3200 block of North Belt Line Road. Police said the driver refused to stop, instead leading officers on a chase into the Dallas city limits.
The officers followed the driver into Dallas and toward downtown. While on the overpass from southbound Interstate 35E to eastbound Woodall Rodgers Freeway, the driver of the stolen car appears to lose control.
The four people killed in the crash were identified as Sabria Denise Lacey, DeAvion Raejon Aubert, Robert Alexander Gowans Jr., and Anthony Isaiah Lisbon. They were all in their early 20s.
Survivors of those passengers Friday said they want answers about the case.
Relatives of 21-year old Sabria Lacey of Duncanville said they don't know who's car it was or how it wound up in Irving but they said she was an innocent passenger out with friends.
At the Grand Prairie home of 21-year old Anthony Lisbon, grieving family and friends declined to share more information about him, but asked about the Irving Police chase policy, which does allow pursuing a suspected stolen vehicle.
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In the edited dashcam video, Irving Police highlighted the stolen vehicle's location on the Woodall Rodgers overpass. Moments later, sparks can be seen before the car appears to leave the overpass and crash onto the ground below, bursting into flames near the Continental Avenue exit.
According to Irving Police, officers with the Dallas Police, Dallas County Sheriff's Office, and Dallas Fire-Rescue all arrived and tried to provide first aid to the occupants of the stolen vehicle.
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The Continental Avenue exit and the ramp connecting I-35E to Woodall Rodgers Freeway were closed while the crash was investigated. Those roadways have since reopened.
Irving Police said the release of information will be limited moving forward due to the ongoing investigation.
"Police pursuits are highly intense," retired police officer Mark Herrera said. He has more than 20 years of law enforcement experience. "Overall, the police pursuits are inherently risky situations, as we all know and have recently experienced."
Having been involved in chases before he explained what goes through an officer's mind while in pursuit.
"Officers, they have to evaluate the seriousness of the offense," Herrera said. "That's the most important thing. You have to consider the reason for the pursuit and assess the severity of that crime that led to the pursuit."
Irving Police Spokesman Anthony Alexander said it was a tragic event.
"The Irving Police Department is allowed to pursue stolen vehicles. Our officers are required to keep in mind the situation as they are in pursuit of a stolen vehicle. I will say that time goes fast. It seems like it goes fast in a pursuit. It’s their job to make sure they’re being safe at all times," Alexander said.
Irving Police did release their detailed chase policy. Part of the investigation will consider whether that policy was followed.
Herrera said that written policy can't always control what happens in the field.
"Despite the efforts to manage pursuits safely, listen, incidents are still or can still lead to accidents and injuries," Herrera said.
Near 3500 North Beltline Road in Irving, where the chase began early Thursday, residents had differing opinions about allowing police to chase a stolen car.
"I want them to do their job," resident Emma West said. "I think they should chase them. Your car is your transportation for work, for doing everything that you do."
This chase covered several miles on freeways in both Irving and Dallas.
"Other people around them too, get nervous too, because what is happening? They might freak out, like if they get in trouble, it might cause different kinds of accidents, too," resident Supriya Kuawar said.
She and her friend Roshika Shiwakoti said police should not chase vehicles in a situation like this.
"Chase without the lights without letting them know that they are chasing them. In that case, it will not cause accidents," Shiwakoti said.
Some other cities have imposed more restrictive policies on chasing a suspected stolen vehicle when that is the only known offense.
