Baltimore Mother Blames Police Pursuit For Daughter's Death In Crash
BALTIMORE (WJZ)— A young mother is dead and her infant child injured after a suspect fleeing police crashed into her car. Now we're learning more about that suspect behind the wheel.
Meghan McCorkell has more on this heartbreaking story.
Family members say Jordasha Rollins, her mother and infant daughter had just run out for a quick errand---a ride that turned tragic.
The balloons were supposed to celebrate her daughter's first birthday. Now, they mark the spot where 22-year-old Jordasha Rollins died.
"She's 22 and I've got to bury her," said her mother, Yolanda Williams.
Williams was behind the wheel when their car was smashed by a suspect fleeing police near North Avenue and Poplar Grove.
"I watched my daughter die. Do you know what that is like?" Williams asked.
Rollins was trapped in the passenger seat and her 11-month-old daughter was injured in the back seat. The suspect who hit them has been identified by WJZ's media partner, the Baltimore Sun, as Charles Jeffries.
Police say they first tried to pull Jeffries over as he was speeding on Hilton Parkway, but he refused to stop. He ran a red light and hit the women, then got out of the car and ran, but police caught him.
"At least they got him, and I hope justice will be served one way or the other," said Dante Williams, Rollins' brother.
Police officials insist officers did not chase Jeffries.
"I've personally listened to the radio broadcast, the KGA broadcast of the officer. This was not a police chase. It happened very, very quickly," said Anthony Guglielmi, Baltimore City police.
Family members are skeptical officers followed their "no chase" policy.
"That's why I've got to bury my daughter in a couple of days because they're not following their own rules," Williams said.
Now they want answers about why Jordasha Rollins will never see her daughter turn one.
Police say they did find narcotics on Jeffries. They are conferring with the prosecutor's office to determine what charges he will face.
Rollins' 11-month-old baby girl suffered non-life threatening injuries.
