Michigan families pursue justice against police after fatal pursuits

Families of two different men who died following pursuits by police in Michigan are calling for justice against the officers. 

Both instances happened on the west side of Michigan, one involving a state trooper and the other a sheriff's deputy.

Big picture view:

The deaths of 25-year-old Samuel Sterling and 17-year-old Riley Doggett, both in the Grand Rapids area, were the focal point of calls for police reform and justice by families this week.

Sterling died from injuries he sustained after being pinned to the wall of a Burger King in Grand Rapids. The state trooper was chasing him due to an active warrant when he struck Sterling with his car.

The officer involved has since been criminally charged.

But in Doggett's case, the Kent County prosecutor declined to press charges, finding the deputy acted within the scope of his duties.

In that case, the officer drove onto the sidewalk while chasing the 17-year-old over property crimes.

What they're saying:

Families of both victims have since filed civil suits against the officers.

"This incident with my son took a lot out of me. A toll out of me," said Andrica Cage, Sterling's mom.

Sterling's dad, Michael, accused the officer of knowing he was in the wrong. 

He's been on the force for 25 years and he knew better," he said.

For Becky Wilbert, the mother of Doggett, she described the experience as torture.

"We spent 31 days in the hospital praying for a miracle that didn’t happen," she said.

Attorney Ven Johnson, one of two lawyers pursuing legal action against the officers, said the cases were a sign of a problem in west Michigan.

"The similarity, nine days apart, it shows you there is an inherit problem in west Michigan but in particular the Grand Rapids community," he said.

What's next:

Michigan State Police and the Kent County Sheriff's Department declined to comment on pending litigation.

Both cases are still working their way through the court.

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