Report: Mom Whose Baby Was Killed During Police Chase Sues Department
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The mother of a baby who was killed during a police chase from Baltimore County to Baltimore City nearly a year ago is suing Baltimore County Police, according to a report from The Baltimore Sun.
On November 1, 2015, Baltimore County Police had a stationary marked patrol car blocking a lane in front of a traffic accident that had just occurred.
Wayne Anthony Green Jr., who was driving a 2008 silver Mercedes CL550 hit that patrol car, which was unoccupied at the time.
He fled the scene, eventually crossing into Baltimore City as officers pursued him.
At the intersection of Moravia and Sinclair Lane, he ran a red light and hit a Volvo that was making a right turn.
The crash pushed the Volvo onto the curb, where it hit and killed Jeremiah Perry, who was sitting in a stroller at a bus stop with his mother, Teaira Smallwood, and sister.
Green attempted to continue driving, but came to a stop just a few feet away from the scene, where he was detained and transported to the hospital for minor lacerations and injuries.
Toxicology tests indicated his blood alcohol content was .212 and there was marijuana in his system.
Jeremiah died at the hospital.
Before Green could be arrested and charged, he fled to North Carolina, where he was later apprehended.
He pleaded guilty to gross vehicular homicide, fleeing and eluding involving death, and driving on a suspended license. In August, he was sentenced to 22 years in prison, with 11 years suspended.
Now, Smallwood is suing Baltimore County police, Officer Joseph Kamberger Jr. and the Volvo driver, Nathan Joyner. The lawsuit alleges that Joyner made an improper right turn and failed to yield to the oncoming Mercedes, according to The Sun's report.
The lawsuit also names a woman who allegedly allowed Green to borrow her car.
In 2002, Green was sentenced to three years under similar circumstances, having been charged with homicide by motor vehicle and driving while intoxicated in Baltimore County.
According to a Baltimore Sun report from 2001, Green crossed a dividing line while driving in Woodlawn, killing 54-year-old Norman Generette.
"Washington knew or should have known that Wayne had a record of dangerous, reckless and incompetent driving," according to the lawsuit.
Smallwood and her attorneys have requested a jury trial but it has not been scheduled.
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