The family of Heather Cater, a 22-year-old newlywed, filed a wrongful death lawsuit after Mrs. Cater was struck and killed by 19-year-old Deonte Jones, who was fleeing from the sheriff’s deputies. A settlement agreement has been reached. Mr. Jones is currently facing charges of capital murder, leaving the scene of an accident with injury or death, delivery of a controlled substance and fleeing. His trial is scheduled for February of 2016.
The family’s attorney, Darren O’Quinn, stated the brief chase began in the parking lot of a Walgreens and ended about 100 yards away in a parking lot next door, where Mrs. Cater worked at a dentist’s office. As officers attempted to arrest Mr. Jones, he fled in his Tahoe, struck Mrs. Cater and dragged her nearly 75 feet before running over her. Mrs. Cater died the next morning.
Mr. O’Quinn, in discussing a different fatal police chase that resulted in the death of a woman who was walking with her daughter, said the case is a good example of why “police officers should be able to chase someone and arrest them, but they shouldn’t be able to chase them through a school yard, a parking lot or a residential neighborhood if it’s not important.” Mrs. Cater’s case, O’Quinn said, was “for a half a bag of marijuana.”
When someone is injured or dies in an accident, financial recovery may be available. Such recovery is particularly important when permanent, life changing injuries are incurred. It is important to contact someone who understands the intricacies of the injured party’s right to recover.
Abraham Watkins offers a free consultation to anyone wishing to pursue a claim for such injuries or fatalities.