City of Jackson v. Gray
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Petitioners Mary Gray, Peggy Pettaway, Kimberly Clausell, Lillian Byrd, and Chris Clausell filed negligence lawsuits against the City of Jackson, City of Raymond and Alice Wilson. Before trial, Raymond settled with Petitioners leaving Jackson and Ms. Wilson as Defendants. A Raymond police officer pursued Ms. Wilson who was driving erratically on a Raymond highway. Jackson officers were notified that Raymond police were in pursuit of Ms. Wilson's vehicle and assisted in the pursuit. The chase ended with Ms. Wilson striking a vehicle containing the Clausells and Ms. Byrd. Ms. Wilson died from the injuries she sustained, and Kimberly Clausell and Lillian Byrd were both injured in the crash. The trial court found that Ms. Wilson was fifty percent at fault, Raymond was thirty percent at fault and Jackson was twenty percent at fault. Jackson appealed the final judgment of the circuit court arguing that the court's apportionment of fault was made in error. Upon review, the Supreme Court found that the trial court's judgment was not supported by substantial evidence. The Court reversed the circuit court's judgment in favor of Petitioners and rendered judgment in favor of Jackson.
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IN THE SUPREME COURT OF MISSISSIPPI
NO. 2009-CA-01610-SCT
CITY OF JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI
v.
MARY GRAY, CHRIS CLAUSELL, ET AL.
DATE OF JUDGMENT:
TRIAL JUDGE:
COURT FROM WHICH APPEALED:
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANT:
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEES:
NATURE OF THE CASE:
DISPOSITION:
09/08/2009
HON. WILLIAM F. COLEMAN
HINDS COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT
KIMBERLY CELESTE BANKS
PIETER JOHN TEEUWISSEN
JOE N. TATUM
EDWARD D. MARKLE
CIVIL - PERSONAL INJURY
REVERSED AND RENDERED - 08/11/2011
MOTION FOR REHEARING FILED:
MANDATE ISSUED:
BEFORE CARLSON, P.J., LAMAR AND KING, JJ.
CARLSON, PRESIDING JUSTICE, FOR THE COURT:
¶1.
Mary Gray, Peggy Pettaway, Kimberly Clausell, Lillian Byrd, and Chris Clausell filed
negligence lawsuits against the City of Jackson, the City of Raymond, and Alice Wilson in
the Circuit Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County.1 Before trial, the City of
Raymond settled with the plaintiffs, leaving the City of Jackson and Alice Wilson as
1
Mary Gray and Peggy Pettaway are coadministrators of Alice Clausell’s estate. The
estate, Kimberly Clausell, and Lillian Byrd filed suit against the City of Raymond and the
City of Jackson. Chris Clausell filed suit against Alice Wilson. The two suits were
consolidated for the purposes of trial.
defendants. Following a bench trial, the circuit judge found that City of Jackson police
officers had acted with reckless disregard for the safety of others and apportioned twenty
percent of the damages to the City of Jackson. The City of Jackson now appeals from the
trial court’s judgment and argues that its police officers did not act with reckless disregard
for the safety of others and that the police officers’ actions were not the proximate cause of
the plaintiffs’ injuries. Finding that the City of Jackson police officers did not act with
reckless disregard, we reverse the trial court’s judgment and render judgment in favor of the
City of Jackson.
FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS IN THE TRIAL COURT
¶2.
On April 21, 2007, City of Raymond Police Officer Randy Razor initiated a pursuit
of a gold Ford Explorer traveling on Highway 18 in Raymond, Mississippi. The Explorer
was driven by Alice Wilson.2 According to Officer Razor, Wilson was driving erratically,
weaving onto the shoulder of the highway, and causing other vehicles to drive off the road.
With his blue lights and siren on, Officer Razor pursued Wilson east-bound on Highway 18.
Wilson did not respond to Razor’s attempts to pull her over, and at one point Wilson
narrowly avoided colliding with a motorcycle. Officer Razor continued his pursuit of Wilson
on Highway 18 toward the City of Jackson. As Officer Razor and Wilson entered the city
limits of Jackson, the City of Raymond police dispatcher notified the Hinds County
dispatcher of the pursuit. The Hinds County dispatcher in turn notified the Jackson Police
Department (JPD) dispatcher. Razor was able to get close enough to Wilson’s vehicle to
observe her behavior inside the vehicle. Razor testified that, despite Wilson being alone in
2
Officer Razor was unaware of the driver’s identity at the time of the pursuit.
2
the vehicle, Wilson appeared to be talking as if there were a passenger in her vehicle. Based
on Wilson’s behavior, Razor called in a possible “10-92.” 3
¶3.
JPD Officer Stephen Coleman was on Highway 80 in Jackson when he heard a “be
on the lookout” call for a Raymond police officer pursuing a vehicle into Jackson. Officer
Coleman drove his patrol car to the intersection of Highway 80 and Robinson Road and
blocked traffic as Wilson drove by, running a red light, with Officer Razor in pursuit.4 JPD
Officer Terrance Spann also blocked traffic at the intersection of Highway 80 and Robinson
Road. JPD Sergeant Amy Barlow had instructed Jackson police officers to monitor and
assist the pursuit. No JPD officers were behind Officer Razor when he drove through the
intersection of Highway 80 and Robinson Road. Officers Coleman and Spann then followed
behind Officer Razor.
¶4.
Officer Razor continued to pursue Wilson into the downtown Jackson area. Officers
Coleman and Spann also continued to follow behind Officer Razor and Wilson. At this same
time, Metro One helicopter began to observe the pursuit from the air. Metro One notified
JPD of its position while the pursuit was near the intersection of Robinson Road and Ellis
Avenue. Shortly thereafter, Wilson approached the intersection of Robinson Road, Capitol
Street, and Amite Street. Wilson drove onto Amite Street, a one-way street, going the wrong
3
During the trial, Razor testified that he had radioed the Hinds County Sheriff’s
Department and had given the dispatcher the description of the vehicle and the tag number,
so that the dispatcher could obtain the vehicle registration information. Also, Razor testified
that he had informed the dispatcher that he possibly could be dealing with a “10-92, which
10-92 is a mental person.” In reality, according to the official “ten-code list,” a 10-92 is an
improperly parked vehicle and a 10-96 is a “mental subject.”
4
Highway 18 turns into Robinson Road.
3
way. Officer Razor continued to pursue Wilson down Amite Street, despite her driving
against the flow of traffic. Officers Coleman and Spann did not follow Officer Razor onto
Amite Street. When Wilson and Officer Razor drove onto Amite Street, Officer Coleman
announced over the radio that he was terminating because Wilson was driving the wrong way
on a one-way street. Officers Coleman and Spann then deactivated their blue lights and
sirens and continued onto Capitol Street.
¶5.
JPD Lieutenant Steve McDonald was traveling the correct direction, with the flow of
traffic, on Amite Street when Officer Razor and Wilson passed him driving in the wrong
direction. Lieutenant McDonald had his blue lights and siren on when Officer Razor and
Wilson passed him, because he had been monitoring the radio communication and was aware
that Wilson and the three patrol cars were in his area. When Lieutenant McDonald observed
the direction that Officer Razor and Wilson were traveling, he radioed the City of Jackson
dispatcher and instructed that the pursuit should be terminated. He also instructed the City
of Jackson dispatcher to contact the City of Raymond dispatcher and request that the City of
Raymond dispatcher instruct Officer Razor to terminate his pursuit.
¶6.
At the same time, Officers Coleman and Spann were traveling east on Capitol Street
with their sirens and blue lights deactivated. The officers stopped at a red light at the
intersection of Capitol Street and Lamar Street and waited for the light to change. While
Officer Coleman was stopped at the intersection, he observed Wilson and Officer Razor turn
onto Capitol Street and proceed in the correct direction, with the flow of traffic.5 Officer
5
Based on his review of Officer Razor’s deposition, plaintiff’s expert Dennis Waller
testified that the JPD officers had their blue lights on while stopped at this intersection.
4
Coleman then advised the City of Jackson dispatcher that Wilson and Officer Razor were
eastbound on Capitol Street. Officer Coleman testified that he then lost visual contact with
Wilson and Officer Razor because of the incline on Capitol Street. He said he did not see
the two vehicles again until he arrived at the scene of the collision.
¶7.
As Wilson and Officer Razor proceeded eastbound on Capitol Street, Kimberly
Clausell (Kimberly), Lillian Byrd, and Alice Clausell (Alice) approached the intersection of
Capitol Street and Congress Street, driving southbound on Congress Street. Kimberly was
driving; Alice was in the front passenger seat; and Byrd was in the back seat. The traffic
light was red as Kimberly approached the intersection, but it turned green by the time she
reached the intersection. As Kimberly entered the intersection on a green light, Wilson
proceeded eastbound through the red light of the same intersection and collided with
Kimberly’s vehicle. Alice died as a result of her injuries from the collision. Kimberly and
Lillian Byrd were both injured in the crash.
¶8.
Kimberly, Byrd, and Alice’s estate filed suit against the City of Raymond and the
City of Jackson, claiming that the defendants negligently had caused their injuries. Chris
Clausell filed a different suit against Wilson on behalf of Alice’s wrongful death
beneficiaries. The two suits eventually were consolidated for the purposes of trial. The City
of Raymond settled with the plaintiffs, leaving Wilson and the City of Jackson as defendants.
¶9.
A bench trial was held in the Circuit Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds
County, Judge William F. Coleman presiding. Following the trial, Judge Coleman entered
an opinion and order, finding that Wilson was fifty percent at fault, the City of Raymond was
thirty percent at fault, and the City of Jackson was twenty percent at fault. The trial judge
5
based many of his findings regarding the City of Jackson on General Order 600-20. The
judge found that the JPD officers had violated General Order 600-20 for the following
reasons: not stopping or proceeding in a direction opposite of Wilson, but rather driving in
a parallel direction; arriving at the intersection of Capitol Street and Lamar Street prior to
Wilson turning onto Capitol Street; following Wilson on Capitol Street; not obtaining
approval to join Officer Razor’s pursuit; and having three police cars in pursuit of Wilson.
The trial judge also noted that the JPD officers were aware of the following: that Wilson had
been speeding and running red lights; Wilson’s vehicle had been identified by its registration,
and that this information could lead to her later apprehension; that Metro One helicopter was
observing the pursuit; and that Wilson’s offenses were not felonies. The trial court also
noted that the JPD officers did not order Officer Razor to terminate his pursuit. Finally,
Judge Coleman stated: “The Court finds that under the totality of all the circumstances the
Jackson officers acted in reckless disregard of the safety of others and that they did not in
fact terminate the chase and negligently contributed to the cause of the plaintiffs’ injuries and
death.”
¶10.
After the trial court entered its opinion and order, the City of Jackson filed a Motion
to Amend Opinion and Order, to Make Additional Findings, and for Other Relief, requesting,
inter alia, that the trial court amend its opinion and refer to any facts showing that the City
of Jackson’s actions proximately caused or contributed to Wilson’s actions. The trial court
denied the City’s motion regarding proximate cause, refusing to cite any facts relating to
causation.
6
¶11.
The City of Jackson now appeals to this Court from the final judgment of the Circuit
Court for the First Judicial District of Hinds County. The final judgment, which was
incorporated into the Opinion and Order, stated, inter alia:
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED AND ADJUDGED, that Chris Clausell,
for the benefit of the wrongful death beneficiaries of Alice Clausell, deceased,
recover from Alice Wilson the sum of $500,000 compensatory damages and
$100,000 punitive damages.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND ADJUDGED, that Gray and Pettaway,
co-administrators of the Estate of Alice Clausell, deceased, recover from the
City of Jackson the sum of $200,000.00 compensatory damages; that Lillian
Byrd recover the sum of $100,000.00 compensatory damages and that
Kimberly Clausell recover from the City of Jackson the sum of $100,000.00
compensatory damages.
It must be noted that Wilson has not appealed from the judgment entered against her. Only
the City of Jackson appeals from the separate judgment entered against it. In today’s appeal,
the City of Jackson raises the following two issues: (1) whether the trial court erred in finding
that the JPD officers had acted in reckless disregard; and (2) whether the trial court erred in
apportioning liability of twenty percent to the City of Jackson without determining proximate
cause. We find issue one to be dispositive of the case and limit our discussion accordingly.
See Berry v. Patten, 51 So. 3d 934, 937 (Miss. 2010).
WHETHER THERE IS SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE IN THE RECORD
TO SUPPORT THE TRIAL COURT’S FINDING THAT THE ACTIONS
OF CITY OF JACKSON POLICE OFFICERS CONSTITUTED
RECKLESS DISREGARD.
¶12.
This case was filed pursuant to the Mississippi Tort Claims Act and was subject to
hearing and determination by a judge siting without a jury. Miss. Code Ann. § 11-46-13
(Rev. 2002). “A circuit court judge sitting without a jury is accorded the same deference
7
with regard to his findings as a chancellor, and his findings are safe on appeal where they are
supported by substantial, credible, and reasonable evidence.” City of Ellisville v. Richardson,
913 So. 2d 973, 977 (Miss. 2005) (quoting City of Jackson v. Brister, 838 So. 2d 274, 27778 (Miss. 2003)). These findings will not be disturbed on appeal unless they are manifestly
wrong, clearly erroneous, or an erroneous legal standard was applied. City of Jackson v.
Perry, 764 So. 2d 373, 376 (Miss. 2000).
¶13.
The Mississippi Tort Claims Act (MTCA) generally provides immunity for actions
relating to police and fire protection. Miss. Code Ann. § 11-46-9(1)(c) (Rev. 2002). This
exemption from liability, however, does not apply to acts or omissions performed in
“reckless disregard” for the safety and well-being of one not engaged in criminal acts.6 Id.
Although the MTCA does not define reckless disregard, our caselaw instructs that reckless
disregard is a higher standard than gross negligence and that it involves willful or wanton
conduct which requires knowingly or intentionally doing a thing or wrongful act. Davis v.
City of Clarksdale, 18 So. 3d 246, 249 (Miss. 2009).
¶14.
In City of Jackson v. Presley, 40 So. 3d 520, 521 (Miss. 2010), we reversed a trial
court’s finding that a JPD officer acted with reckless disregard when she was involved in a
6
Mississippi Code Section 11-46-9(1)(c) provides:
A governmental entity and its employees acting within the course and scope
of their employment or duties shall not be liable for any claim: . . . (c) [a]rising
out of any act or omission of any employee of a governmental entity engaged
in the performance or execution of duties or activities relating to police or fire
protection unless the employee acted in reckless disregard of the safety and
well-being of any person not engaged in criminal activity at the time of the
injury . . . .
8
collision while responding to a call that a man was lying in the street, unresponsive and
bleeding. The collision occurred at the busy intersection of Livingston Road and Woodrow
Wilson Avenue. Id. The JPD officer entered the intersection on a red light with her blue
lights and siren activated. Id. Cars in the first two lanes of traffic had stopped, but the
officer’s view of the third lane was blocked. Id. The officer proceeded at approximately five
miles per hour and collided with a vehicle traveling through the intersection. Id. Despite
both the trial court and the Court of Appeals finding that the officer had acted with reckless
disregard, we reversed and found that “[b]ecause the record is devoid of evidence that [the
officer] acted in reckless disregard for the safety of the public, we are bound to conclude that
the judgment of the trial court was against the overwhelming weight of the evidence.” Id.
at 524.
¶15.
On other occasions, we have found that a governmental entity was not exempt from
liability under the MTCA since it acted with reckless disregard for the safety and well-being
of persons not engaged in criminal activity. In City of Jackson v. Lipsey, 834 So. 2d 687,
693 (Miss. 2003), we affirmed a finding of reckless disregard when a JPD officer, responding
to a burglary call, turned suddenly into oncoming traffic without activating his headlights,
blue lights, or siren. In Brister, 838 So. 2d at 276, we held that substantial evidence
supported a finding of reckless disregard. In Brister, JPD officers pursued a check-forgery
suspect for less than sixty seconds over a distance of less than one mile in a residential area.
Id. As a result of the short pursuit, the suspect’s vehicle collided with another vehicle. Id.
The trial court in Brister based its finding of reckless disregard on several factors: the pursuit
was contrary to a police department general order; the officers were engaged in active pursuit
9
when the collision occurred; the pursuit should have been terminated when the officers
realized that the suspect would not pull over; and the officers did not properly balance the
public’s safety with the immediate apprehension of the suspect. Id.
¶16.
Most recently, in City of Jackson v. Law, ___ So. 3d ___, 2011 WL 1498368, at * 9
(Miss. April 21, 2011), we affirmed a trial court’s finding of reckless disregard when a police
officer pursued a known drug user and prostitute for seven miles into a residential
neighborhood, despite the officer’s supervisor instructing him to terminate the pursuit.
¶17.
The following factors may support a finding of reckless disregard in connection with
a police pursuit: (1) length of the chase; (2) type of neighborhood; (3) characteristics of the
streets; (4) presence of vehicular or pedestrian traffic; (5) weather conditions and visibility;
(6) seriousness of the offense for which the police are pursuing the suspect; (7) whether the
officer proceeded with sirens and blue lights; (8) whether the officer had available
alternatives which would lead to the apprehension of the suspect besides pursuit; (9)
existence of a police policy which prohibits pursuit under the circumstances; and (10) rate
of speed of the officer in comparison to the posted speed limit. Richardson, 913 So. 2d at
977 (citing Johnson v. City of Cleveland, 846 So. 2d 1031, 1037 (Miss. 2003)); see also
Brister, 838 So. 2d 274. “It is appropriate for trial courts to consider all ten factors, and to
look at the totality of the circumstances when analyzing whether someone acted in reckless
disregard.” Richardson, 913 So. 2d at 978. The trial court in today’s case listed the ten
factors and discussed some but not all of them. Notably, the trial court did not discuss the
factors that tend to show the City of Jackson did not act with reckless disregard. Based on
the facts before us and because the totality of the circumstances should be considered, we
10
address the factors the trial court analyzed in its opinion and order in addition to the other
factors relevant to today’s case.7 See Id.
¶18.
We must note at the outset of our discussion that the City of Jackson consistently has
claimed that JPD officers did not, in fact, pursue Wilson, but rather, provided assistance to
Officer Razor. Thus, the City of Jackson argues that the Richardson factors are not
applicable in today’s case. The trial judge essentially found that the JPD officers did pursue
Wilson. This finding is supported by Waller’s expert testimony. Also, Jackson Police
Department General Order 600-20 considers situations in which a pursuit initiated in one
jurisdiction by another agency enters the City of Jackson’s jurisdiction. The general order
requires officers to follow the same guidelines that are applied to pursuits initiated by City
of Jackson officers.
¶19.
The City of Jackson claims that today’s case is similar to McCoy v. City of Florence,
949 So. 2d 69, 78-79 (Miss. Ct. App. 2006), in which the Court of Appeals found that
officers from the City of Richland did not participate in a pursuit initiated by a City of
Florence officer. In McCoy, a City of Florence officer initiated a pursuit of a driver who had
a suspended license and had sped away from the officer before he could be arrested. Id. at
7
With regard to the factors relevant in the case before us, we distinguish today’s case
from Law, 2011 WL 1498368, at *15, where we stated that “[s]ince this Court has not held
that all ten factors must be considered, this Court addresses only those factors that the trial
court and parties addressed.” We agree that not all ten factors must be considered by the trial
court. However, in Law, we upheld a trial court’s finding of reckless disregard based on the
factors relevant to that case – namely, the factors that demonstrated that the trial court’s
holding was supported by substantial evidence. See Id. Today, as part of the totality-of-thecircumstances analysis, we find all ten factors relevant and consequently address each one.
See Richardson, 913 So. 2d at 978.
11
73-74. The pursuit neared the City of Richland, and Richland police officers blocked traffic
at intersections on Highway 49 in Richland. Id. at 74. The Court of Appeals found that,
other than the City of Richland officers blocking traffic, “[t]here is no other evidence
regarding Richland’s involvement in the pursuit. That Richland police officers prevented
traffic from entering Highway 49 is not involvement in a pursuit. At best, they were
bystanders. Accordingly, we find that Richland was not involved in [the pursuit].” Id. at 79.
We find the facts of today’s case to be distinguishable from those in McCoy. While JPD
officers did block traffic at various intersections, the police officers also followed Officer
Razor and Wilson for several miles and testified that they had intended to provide assistance
to Officer Razor while he was pursuing Wilson in their jurisdiction. Therefore, we find that
the JPD officers – at least in a supporting role – participated in the pursuit. We now address
each of the Richardson factors.
A.
¶20.
Length of the Chase
The trial court found that the entire pursuit was approximately eleven miles long, with
six or more miles being within the city limits of Jackson. It is undisputed that City of
Jackson officers initially were not involved in the pursuit. The City of Jackson argues that
the evidence produced at trial supports a finding that the City of Jackson’s involvement in
the pursuit was less than four or five miles. The City of Jackson quotes the following
passage of testimony:
[Plaintiff’s Counsel]: Do you know the distance in miles from Highway 80 all
the way to Congress Street where the crash occurred in downtown Jackson?
Do you know the distance in miles?
[Officer Coleman]: I’d say about four or five miles, but exact distance no.
12
[Plaintiff’s Counsel]: I think that’s a fair representation.
The plaintiff’s expert, Waller, however, opined that the City of Jackson officers were
involved in the pursuit for five to six miles.
B.
¶21.
Type of Neighborhood
The trial judge noted in his opinion and order that Wilson drove through both
commercial and residential areas while being pursued. Officer Coleman testified that the
area of Robinson Road where the pursuit occurred contained residential and commercial
neighborhoods. He also testified that churches, day care centers, and funeral homes are
located in the area. The downtown Jackson area is mostly commercial, with a few residential
areas.
C.
¶22.
Characteristics of the Streets
The trial court did not address the characteristics of the streets in its opinion and order.
Other than statements regarding the slight incline on Capitol Street, there is no evidence that
the streets were particularly hilly, curvy, or poorly maintained.
D.
¶23.
Presence of Vehicular or Pedestrian Traffic
The trial court did not address the presence of vehicular or pedestrian traffic in its
opinion and order. The pursuit began on a Saturday afternoon at approximately 5:42 p.m.
Waller testified that he did not know the traffic conditions in the downtown Jackson area at
the time of the collision. He also stated that he did not know if any pedestrians were in the
area. Lieutenant McDonald stated in his narrative report that traffic was light in the area of
Amite Street and Gallatin Street. Officer Razor testified that there was little to no traffic in
the downtown Jackson area at the time of the pursuit.
13
E.
¶24.
Weather Conditions and Visibility
The trial court noted in its opinion and order that the weather was clear and sunny
during the pursuit. The testimony at trial supports this finding.
F.
¶25.
The Seriousness of the Offense for Which the Police are Pursing the
Suspect
The trial court stated in its order that the JPD officers had been aware that Wilson’s
offenses were not felonies. Officer Coleman testified that he had not been aware of whether
Wilson had committed any felonies or serious crimes at the time of the pursuit. Waller also
testified that none of Wilson’s offenses were serious enough for the pursuit to continue into
the city limits of Jackson.
G.
¶26.
Whether the Officer Proceeded with Blue Lights and Sirens.
The trial court did not discuss this factor. Officer Coleman testified that he had his
blue lights and siren on during the pursuit, that he deactivated them when he terminated the
pursuit at Amite Street, and that he activated them again when he realized that the collision
had occurred.
H.
¶27.
Whether the Officer had Available Alternatives Which Would Lead to
the Apprehension of the Suspect Besides Pursuit.
The trial court stated in its opinion and order that the JPD officers were aware that the
Metro One helicopter was observing the pursuit around the area of Ellis Avenue and that an
officer had the tag number of the vehicle. Andy Robinson, the tactical flight officer for
Metro One, testified that JPD had acknowledged that he was above them somewhere between
Ellis Avenue and Amite Street. Officer Coleman testified that he could not remember
14
exactly when he had become aware that Metro One was observing the pursuit, but that he
thought it was sometime after he had reached the three-way split at Amite Street.
I.
¶28.
The Existence of Police Policy Which Prohibits Pursuit Under the
Circumstances
The trial court focused much of its opinion and order on JPD General Order 600-20.
First, the trial court cited Waller’s testimony that the JPD officers had violated the order by:
not stopping or proceeding in a direction away from Wilson and instead driving parallel to
the path of Wilson; arriving at the intersection of Capitol Street and Lamar Street prior to
Wilson; being present at that intersection; and further following Wilson on Capitol Street.
The trial court also found that JPD Officers Coleman and Spann violated General Order 60020 by not obtaining permission to join in Officer Razor’s pursuit and by having more than
two patrol cars in pursuit of Wilson’s vehicle.
¶29.
We find some of the trial court’s analysis of General Order 600-20 to be erroneous.
First, the trial court stated that JPD Officers Coleman and Spann did not obtain permission
to join in Officer Razor’s pursuit. To the contrary, Sergeant Amy Barlow testified that she
had advised City of Jackson patrol units to monitor traffic and assist with traffic when the
pursuit had entered the City of Jackson’s jurisdiction. The trial court also found that the JPD
officers had violated the general order by having more than two patrol cars involved in the
pursuit. General Order 600-20 states: “Unless circumstances dictate otherwise, a pursuit
shall consist of no more than two police vehicles, a primary and a secondary unit. All other
personnel shall stay clear of the pursuit unless instructed to participate by a supervisor.”
(Emphasis added.) As noted above, the JPD officers were instructed by their supervisor to
15
monitor the pursuit and assist with traffic. Thus, they did not violate this portion of the
General Order.
¶30.
The trial court also considered that the JPD officers did not properly terminate their
pursuit in accordance with the General Order. The Order instructs officers to “either come
to a complete stop in a safe location and await further instructions from the supervisor or
travel in the opposite direction of travel from the pursuit.” Waller testified that JPD Officers
Coleman and Spann had traveled in a parallel direction to the pursuit after terminating, thus
violating the General Order. We should note, however, that the officers traveled in the only
lawful direction available – east on Capitol Street.
J.
¶31.
The Rate of Speed of the Officer in Comparison to the Posted Speed
Limit
The trial court did not discuss the speed of the JPD officers’ vehicles. The trial court
did, however, state that Wilson had been speeding. Waller testified that he thought the JPD
officers had been speeding and that he based his opinion on the fact that the officers had been
at the site of the collision and had helped Officer Razor arrest Wilson. Officer Coleman
testified that he was driving at approximately forty-five miles per hour on Robinson Road,
which has a speed limit of thirty-five miles per hour.
¶32.
We consider the totality of the circumstances when determining an issue of reckless
disregard. Richardson, 913 So. 2d at 978. As such, we also take into account that the JPD
officers did not initiate the pursuit and that they consistently have claimed that their role in
the pursuit was to assist with traffic, protect citizens, and protect Officer Razor if needed.
16
For example, when asked about the role of Officers Coleman and Spann in the pursuit,
Lieutenant McDonald stated:
They were to assist the Raymond officer because he was out of his jurisdiction,
he was by himself, he was in an unfamiliar area. And for officer safety - - and
this is our belief, that when officers come from another jurisdiction that they
need that type of support. He had nobody else. Had something happened to
where his life was in danger, no one would be there. So that’s why we take it
upon ourselves to assist in that matter.
Although these are not factors traditionally included in a reckless-disregard analysis, the
unique facts of this case warrant consideration of the foregoing facts.
¶33.
We find that the trial court’s finding that the JPD officers “acted in reckless disregard
of the safety of others” is not supported by substantial evidence. Notably, the trial court did
not discuss facts that tend to show that the City of Jackson did not act with reckless
disregard: the streets were not particularly curvy, hilly, or poorly maintained; there was little
to no traffic in the downtown Jackson area; the JPD officers engaged their blue lights and
sirens during the pursuit; the JPD officers did not travel at an usually high rate of speed. The
trial court also did not consider that the JPD officers had been ordered by their supervisor to
monitor and assist with traffic and erroneously concluded that the officers did not have
permission to aid in the pursuit. Finally, the JPD officers testified that they were motivated
to aid Officer Razor out of concern for his safety within their jurisdiction.
¶34.
Based on the totality of the circumstances, we find that the JPD officers did not act
with reckless disregard. We have defined reckless disregard as:
the voluntary doing by motorists of an improper or wrongful act, or with
knowledge of existing conditions, the voluntary refraining from doing a proper
or prudent act when such act or failure to act evinces an entire abandonment
17
of any care, and heedless indifference to results which may follow and the
reckless taking of chance of accident happening without intent that any occur.
Presley, 40 So. 3d at 523 (citations omitted). The City of Jackson’s actions in today’s case
do not evince “an entire abandonment of any care.” Id. Thus we are constrained to find that
the trial court’s judgment was not supported by substantial evidence. Because we find that
the City of Jackson did not act with reckless disregard, we need not address the issue of
proximate cause.
CONCLUSION
¶35.
Based on today’s discussion, we reverse the judgment of the Circuit Court of the First
Judicial District of Hinds County entered in favor of Mary Gray and Peggy Pettaway as
coadministrators of the estate of Alice Clausell, and against the City of Jackson, and we
render judgment here in favor of the City of Jackson.
¶36.
REVERSED AND RENDERED.
WALLER, C.J., DICKINSON, P.J., RANDOLPH, LAMAR, KITCHENS,
CHANDLER AND KING, JJ., CONCUR. PIERCE, J., NOT PARTICIPATING.
18
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