Tougher penalty for fleeing

A bill receiving House approval would modify the crime of fleeing a peace officer when doing so results in a death that does not constitute murder or manslaughter.

Following the 93-35 vote April 27, HF361, sponsored by Rep. John Kriesel (R-Cottage Grove), goes to the Senate where Sen. John Harrington (DFL-St. Paul) is the sponsor.

Supporters note the current flee-on-foot statute does not address penalties for causing serious harm or death to others if pursuit of a felonious criminal goes from vehicle to foot. However, if the occupants are still in the car, they can be charged for all the harm caused by their actions.

The bill would extend the law to situations where a suspect initially flees police in a motor vehicle, but abandons the vehicle and continues to flee in another way.

The impetus for the bill occurred on Nov. 1, 2007, when Mark Bedard, an officer with the Minneapolis Park Police, was in pursuit of two suspects in a pair of drive-by shootings.

After the suspects bailed from their vehicle, the chase continued on foot until Bedard was hit by a squad car in an alley. He died nine days later, leaving behind a wife and 3-year-old son.

Because Bedard’s injuries occurred during a foot chase, the suspects could not be charged with the more serious death of a police officer. They did plead guilty to felony drive-by shooting and received sentences of less than four years in prison.