CHARLESTON -- The mother of the man that was killed in September during a police chase has filed a lawsuit against the city of Charleston.
Patricia Harrison is suing the city of Charleston individually and as Administratrix of the Estate of Brian Good, according to the complaint that was filed Nov. 6 in Kanawha Circuit Court.
Harrison claims the senior police officer on duty the night of Sept. 12 and early morning of Sept. 13 took no other cause of action to have his staff stop the high-speed chase and, in fact, encouraged and sanctioned his fellow officers' actions.
On Sept. 13, Good led police on a chase from Virginia Street and continued through Mill Creek and ended on Quick Road when police vehicles provided a barricade.
Video from police cruisers at the scene show Good continuing to rev his engine and hit the police car as other cars close in.
Harrison claims the police officers "intentionally and negligently acted in an unreasonable manner in disregard of the obvious risks."
The police officers "immediately and negligently" opened fire on Good, according to the suit, which killed him and also Charleston Patrolman Jerry Jones.
The officers that fired at Good were Jones, Patrolman Owen Morris and Patrolman Christopher Burford.
Harrison claims the city of Charleston is liable for the injuries to and the death of Good, which were caused by the "careless, negligent, wanton and reckless actions of the city of Charleston police officers."
Harrison has suffered the death of her son and claims she is entitled to compensation for sorrow, mental anguish and solace, including loss of society, companionship, comfort, best of friend, kindly offices of the decedent; for lost past earnings and reasonably certain future earnings; and loss of services, protection, care and assistance.
According to the suit, each of Good's five children have suffered sorrow, mental anguish and solace, including loss of society, companionship, comfort, guidance, kindly offices, loss of reasonably certain future earnings and advice of the decedent.
Harrison is suing for compensatory and punitive damages for negligence and/or intentional dereliction of duty and wrongful death. Harold Albertson is representing her.
The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Tod J. Kaufman.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 09-C-2085
Mother of man killed by police sues for wrongful death
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