A Murray woman has filed a lawsuit against a Salt Lake City police officer and the city after her husband was killed in a high-speed chase.
Angela West, who is seeking at least $500,000, contends that Officer Aaron Van Duren violated the city's pursuit policy when he chased her husband, Stanley M. West, 26.The policy states "pursuits are only justified when there is a necessity of immediate apprehension. Pursuits will be terminated ... when the risks of the pursuit are not warranted by the nature of the offense."
On Feb. 25, Stanley West was killed after losing control of his 1970 Chevrolet. His car slammed into a power pole and flipped. He died at the scene.
According to a police report, Van Duren spotted Stanley West leaving a bar and getting into his car. The report said that as Stanley West drove toward I-15, he began weaving in and out of lanes.
Van Duren tried to pull him over, but Stanley West sped away.
During the pursuit, Stanley West sideswiped a car on I-15 and reached speeds of more than 85 mph. He crashed after exiting onto 3300 South.
Salt Lake City Attorney Roger Cutler declined to comment on the case because he said he had not seen the lawsuit, which was filed Friday.