Family of McIntosh teen sues Chickasaw, former cop over fatal car accident

Family of McIntosh teen sues Chickasaw, former cop over fatal car accident

Mobile, Ala. (WALA) – The household of a teenager who died in a collision with a former Chickasaw law enforcement officer has filed a wrongful-loss of life lawsuit.

The fit, filed last 7 days in Cell County Circuit Courtroom, seeks unspecified damages versus the city of Chickasaw and former Officer Joseph Michael Hand.

“We’re here right now, and we shouldn’t be, frankly,” explained John Givens, an attorney who represents the family members of Kenya Reed, an 18-yr-outdated McIntosh Higher School senior who was a cheerleader and basketball player and who was on track to be the school’s valedictorian.

Givens reported Reed experienced just remaining her mother’s dwelling just after supper and was on her way home on Jan, 10 of very last year.

Givens reported for the duration of a information convention that Reed was getting off of Interstate 65 and at a end signal when Hand’s patrol vehicle collided with her on West Lee Street. He reported the motor vehicle was touring 95 mph in a 30 mph zone. It was a “known risky location” exactly where a hill obstructed the driver’s perspective, the lawyer reported.

“Driving the way he was driving that day was, frankly, inexcusable,” he said.

Hand, 31, of Mobile, could not instantly be attained for comment, and Chickasaw City Corridor experienced no comment on the go well with. Chickasaw Town Legal professional Nash Campbell also did not quickly return call seeking comment, nor did Brent Day, a law firm who represented Hand in a criminal case arising from the wreck.

Previously this 12 months, a Cell County Circuit Court judge dismissed that cost – criminally negligent murder – soon after agreeing with the protection that the indictment arrived just after the just one-year statute of restrictions for the misdemeanor. Mobile County Assistant District Legal professional Louis Walker claimed prosecutors could find a new indictment alleging a different offense.

“Whether or not we will at any time find a different indictment will be up to – we have not made that conclusion but, but there is no statute of constraints for any other homicide offense if prosecution is considered warranted for that,” he said.

Hand, in accordance to Givens, left the Chickasaw Law enforcement Department and was working as an officer in Citronelle when a grand jury handed up the indictment. He resigned from that career.

The civil grievance alleges that Hand has a “history of reckless procedure of police motor vehicles.” It cites an incident in June 2020 in which Hand was concerned in a substantial-pace chase and crashed into a Saraland law enforcement officer’s cruiser even with directions to again off the pursuit.

“There are prior functions involving this specific driver in his capability as a law enforcement officer,” Givens claimed. “It would depart acceptable minds to conclude that he was not the ideal human being positioned for the occupation and was improperly educated.”

Reed’s relatives attended Thursday’s news meeting and spoke of the affect she had on her college and group. They described her as a magnet who attracted folks by the power of her temperament.

“Kenya was a go-getter – she was a go-getter,” claimed her aunt, Jessica West, choking back tears. “Whatever she set her thoughts into doing, she did. Troubles arrived, but she did not allow that outdo her.”

West said it was notably hard conversing about Reed’s demise to her youthful nephews and nieces.

“It was difficult for us to describe to them that Kenya’s no lengthier in this article. ‘Well, where’s she at?’ Kenya’s no for a longer period here. ‘Well, she’ll be back again.’ No. She will not be back again.”

Brittany Simmons, who taught Reed all 4 yrs she was in superior college, called her a “teacher’s dream” in the classroom.

“She just normally answered that simply call to what ever wanted to be carried out,” she said. “She would do it. And that is the factor that I recall.”

Givens vowed to maintain the Chickasaw and Hand dependable.

“I assure you we will do that will do every little thing in our electrical power to achieve that justice and achieve that accountability. … To steal a line from her mom, I’ve been informed that you did not satisfy Kenya you expert her.”

Up to date at 3:37 p.m. to include a no-remark response from Chickasaw City Hall and data about a prior incident detailed in the civil criticism.

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