LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is facing a lawsuit after a fatal crash on County Road 33 involving some of its deputies.
Deputies said the crash happened in Mascotte after a woman didn’t stop when they tried to pull her over. They said the suspect slammed into an innocent driver, which resulted in both of their deaths.
The Sheriff’s Office said they’re not releasing dash cam video and radio transmission from the chase yet.
The lawsuit is being filed by the family of Kim King, who was the innocent driver killed in a crash. Attorney Matt Morgan said the King family is hurting.
"The King family contacted us to get answers. What happened and how did this senseless tragedy occur?" Morgan said.
Deputies said Mylynda Martinez was being chased by authorities and lost control of her after running over stop sticks. Martinez's vehicle then collided with King's, deputies said.
"This is the worst thing that can happen to any family; A complete, unexpected tragedy. She was going to pick up her grandchildren and was just sitting there, minding her own business and then this absolute tragedy occurs,” Morgan said.
Deputies said Martinez and her unborn baby were also killed. %
%
Deputies said they tried to pull the suspect over after she rolled past a stop sign after leaving a known drug house they were watching.
"We've got a high-speed pursuit around the time that people are leaving work and heading home, the worst possible time you can engage in this pursuit,” Morgan said.
Morgan said if the judge rules in the King family’s favor, the Sheriff’s Office could pay up to $200,000. Morgan said he’s looking into possibly filing a claim in federal court as well.
Morgan also claimed deputies violated the Sheriff Office's own policy during the chase.
Channel 9 learned only two deputies are allowed to pursue a suspect for a traffic violation or nonviolent crimes.
"Only two cars are to pursue, unless a supervisor authorizes the additional units to pursue. We know that there were five units pursuing," Morgan said.
The pursuit policy stated that deputies are to "(monitor) the situation to ensure that no more than the authorized number of units is engaged in the actual pursuit."
Policy states that deputies will not be disciplined for calling off a chase after weighing the potential risks.
The Sheriff's Office said it could not comment due to pending litigation.
For more information about this story, contact Myrt Price.
Cox Media Group
