Estate of Phillip LewisHigh-speed pursuits by police officers have been debated as to whether they are beyond the limits by putting people in unnecessary danger or if they are justifiable in every aspect. In the case of the County of Sacramento v. the Estate of Phillip Lewis a high-speed pursuit ended in the death of one of the fleeing suspects. Parents of Phillip Lewis brought claims against the county, sheriffs department and the deputy involved, saying that the actions taken by the officer and the policy of sheriffs department are deprivation of life without due process. This case was first taken to the district court then to court of appeals and eventually ended up in the United States Supreme Court.On May 22, 1990 two Sacramento County sheriffs deputies were responding to a call to break up a fight. While returning to their cars one of the officers, Murray Stapp noticed a motorcycle moving at rather high speeds. The motorcycle was being operated by 18-year-old Brian Willard and carrying a 16-year-old passenger by the name of Phillip Lewis. Neither the operator nor the passenger of the motorcycle had anything to do with the fight being responded to.Stapp, in attempt to stop the boys turned on his overhead rotating lights and moved his car closer to the other responding officers, James Smith, squad car in order to block the path of the motorcycle. Willard slowly maneuvered the motorcycle through the blocking cars and accelerated away. Both officers immediately switched on their lights and followed in pursuit of the motorcycle. The chase continued for approximately 75 seconds through residential neighborhoods at speeds approaching 100 miles per hour. Smiths car was following at distances as short as 100 feet. According to the reports, at the speeds they were traveling it would have taken over 650 feet to stop the car.The chase was finally brought to an end when Willard attempted to turn the motorcycle too sharply and tipp...
