Family Blames City, Alleges Racial Bias in Pursuit Tactics
The family of a bystander killed in a 2021 police chase is suing the city of Minneapolis. The lawsuit alleges the city condones dangerous high-speed pursuits, particularly in neighborhoods with higher Black populations.
Seeking Damages for Wrongful Death
The family of Leneal Frazier is represented by Storms Dworak LLC and is seeking unspecified damages for his wrongful death. Frazier, a 40-year-old St. Paul resident and father of six, was killed in a collision with a squad car driven by former Minneapolis police officer Brian Cummings.
Fatal Crash and Officer’s Conviction
Cummings was pursuing a suspected car thief when his vehicle collided with Frazier’s car at a high speed on July 6, 2021. The lawsuit details that Cummings disregarded a red light and was traveling nearly 80 mph (129 kph) in a residential area with a posted speed limit of 25 mph (40 kph). The chase reportedly lasted over 20 blocks before the fatal crash. Cummings pleaded guilty to criminal vehicular homicide last year and received a nine-month sentence in the county workhouse.
Lawsuit Claims Racial Bias in High-Speed Pursuits
A central argument of the lawsuit is that dangerous police chases are more likely to be initiated and continued in predominantly Black neighborhoods compared to white neighborhoods within Minneapolis. This allegation suggests potential racial bias in the city’s pursuit policies.
Frazier’s Connection to George Floyd Case
The lawsuit also highlights a tragic connection to the widely publicized case of George Floyd. Leneal Frazier was the uncle of Darnella Frazier, the teenager who filmed the cellphone video of George Floyd’s death at the hands of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in 2020.
