MONTGOMERY COUNTY — A Montgomery County family is planning to sue the sheriff’s department and the county after a chase gone wrong led to the death of their loved one.
As reported on News Center 7 at 11, Colby Ross, 35, died as Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies chased Melissa Hutchins down SR-49 toward West Third Street/US-35.
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A detective used stop sticks but Hutchins did not stop and ran through a red light.
Hutchins then hit Ross’ convertible, forcing him into a pickup truck and causing him to be thrown from his car. He died from his injuries.
“I honestly can’t really find the words to say how heartbroken I am right now,” Ross’ wife Chenea Ross said.
Chenea said her husband’s death has devastated their children.
“I’m angry about the fact that I even have to be standing here today,” Chenea said.
Ross’ family is planning to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and the county, claiming the chase violated the department’s policy.
“We’re waiting for them to be transparent, We’re waiting for them to answer our public records request,” Attorney Michael Wright said.
The family is getting help from nationally known civil rights lawyer Ben Crump.
“We are not going to let them continue to delay justice. Martin Luther King said ‘Justice delayed is justice denied,’” Crump said.
The legal team and the family said they wanted a copy of the sheriff department’s investigation report.
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They also want the video from the incident released and said they need answers.
“It’s hard to go to football practice and your dad is not there, it’s hard to go to school and everyone is looking at you and saying ‘I’m sorry your Dad was such a great man,’” Chenea said.
News Center 7 reached out to the sheriff’s office and county commissioners for a comment but were told they could not comment at this time.
News Center 7 will continue to follow this story.
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