2 Detroit officers suspended after chase ends in motorist's death

DETROIT (WJBK) - Two Detroit police officers have been suspended after a high-speed chase ended with a deadly crash earlier this week.

Police Chief James Craig said at a news conference Wednesday that the two officers were found to be in direct violation of the department's pursuit policy.

Craig says the officers observed a Pontiac Grand Prix Monday night around 10:30 p.m. that "caught their attention." Craig says the officers decided to follow the vehicle and obtain its license plate to see what the vehicle status was. However, as they began to follow, Craig says the 19-year-old driver sped up.

Craig says the driver of the Pontiac exceeded speeds of 100 mph in a residential area. Craig believes speeds of the police car exceeded 70-75 mph.

"Clearly, we had a high-speed pursuit," Craig said. 

The driver of the Pontiac eventually lost control and crashed in the area of Maiden Street and Park Drive, and died in the collision. A 67-year-old man in a second vehicle was also involved and injured in the crash. He's in the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Craig says policy states "members may only initiate or participate in a vehicle pursuit where there is probable cause to believe the suspect may have committed a violent felony."

"In this instance, there was no violent felony," Craig added.

Craig said the officers also never made contact with dispatch informing them they had initiated a high-speed pursuit.

The two officers have been suspended without pay.

Craig says they've launched an internal and a criminal investigation.