A grieving Tennessee woman whose goddaughter died after being thrown from a speeding vehicle during a police chase is calling on authorities to end high-speed pursuits.
Renisha Thompson, 31, was reportedly heading out to buy groceries on Thursday when she became caught up in the pursuit without knowing what was happening.
Thompson was riding in the passenger seat beside 32-year-old Justin Thomas, who allegedly drove away from a traffic stop in his Cadillac, News Channel 3 reported.
The Memphis Safe Task Force pursued the vehicle before it crashed near South Third Street and Red Leaf Lane in South Memphis, the outlet said.
Thompson, who worked as a cosmetologist, was killed when she was ejected from the car.
Her godmother, Shawn Crawford, sharply criticized the authorities involved. She said officers had an opportunity to apprehend Thomas before the chase began.
“Her life was taken only because of this pursuit. Y’all want to catch this guy, and y’all had the chance to block this driveway and get her. They had a chance to get him. He sat in this driveway. My baby didn’t know what was going on. She didn’t even know what she was getting into,” Crawford said.
Thomas faces charges of vehicular manslaughter, possession of controlled substances, speeding and fleeing from law enforcement. He remained in critical condition at a hospital, Action News 5 reported.
Renisha Thompson, 31, was reportedly heading to buy groceries when the Memphis Safe Task Force began pursuing the vehicle in which she was a passenger
Officers were seeking driver Justin Thomas, 32, who authorities said fled a traffic stop while driving his Cadillac
The Memphis Safe Task Force and members of the US Marshal Service had been monitoring Thomas after he allegedly fled from agents during an earlier traffic stop, Action News 5 reported.
Officials said Thomas was spotted getting into a vehicle with Thompson and then made several U-turns in an apparent attempt to evade the agents.
The situation escalated when he allegedly refused to stop for a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper, triggering the pursuit that ended in the crash, the outlet reported.
“To me, it just looked like whoever was running from the police wasn’t paying attention,” a witness told the outlet.
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“I heard a big boom and there were pieces everywhere. Really sad about the lady. I’m pretty sure neither one of them knew that that was gonna happen,” the witness added.
Crawford said Thompson would still be alive if the police pursuit had not taken place.
“Stop the pursuits. Because that man was watched here before my baby even entered that car, he was already being watched,” Crawford said, according to News Channel 3.
She added: “They could’ve got him before he even got her in that car, and if you’re on a high-speed chase and can’t catch that person, stop the pursuit.”
Four other vehicles were damaged in the pursuit. Two people, including Thomas, were injured, Action News 5 reported.
The police chase ended in a multi-vehicle crash that killed one person and injured two others
Loved ones gathered for a vigil to remember Thompson on Sunday. Relatives described her as a kind, hardworking person who always showed up for others.
‘She was honest. She was truthful. She was a friend. She was a sister. She was an auntie. She was our everything. Renisha was our everything,’ Crawford said during the memorial service.
‘And when your everything is taken, it’s like you have nothing. You’re left with nothing. But when they come out like they did today, showing love and support, we know we’ve got people behind us,’ she added.
Asked whether Thomas should be held accountable for her goddaughter’s death, Crawford refused to comment, saying it was in God’s hands, News Channel 3 reported.
Thompson’s funeral service will be held on October 23, according to Serenity Funeral Home in Memphis.
This is the third time Thomas has fled from law enforcement, according to court records and affidavits reviewed by Action News 5. He was out on bond after being charged in July and August.
Our News Outlet has reached out to US Marshal Service and Tennessee Highway Patrol for comment.
