Detroit Man Charged In Chase, Crash That Injured Officer
SOUTHFIELD (WWJ/AP) - A 24-year-old Detroit man has been charged following a high-speed chase that injured a Beverly Hills police officer.
James Bracy was arraigned Friday in Southfield District Court on multiple charges, including fleeing and eluding an officer causing serious bodily injury, a 10 year felony. He was ordered held in the Oakland County Jail on a $1 million bond. A preliminary exam is scheduled for October 15.
Southfield police say the incident started around 12:35 a.m. Thursday when they were called to the TGI Fridays on Evergreen Road on a report of a man with a gun. When police arrived at the restaurant, Bracy allegedly fled the parking lot and drove down Evergreen Road at speeds of more than 100 mph, according to a police report.
Police say they chased Bracy northbound on Evergreen Road until he lost control of his vehicle north of 13 Mile Road, struck a fire hydrant and then crashed into a parked Beverly Hills Public Safety Officer's vehicle.
Beverly Hills Police say the officer was outside of his vehicle at the time, placing "stop sticks" in the roadway. Bracy's vehicle crashed into the police cruiser which then struck the officer -- who was thrown about 30 feet from the vehicle, according to police.
The officer was taken to Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak for treatment of a broken femur, hip, arm and wrist. Although his identity has not been released, officials did say the officer has been with the Beverly Hills Police Department for about 10 years.
Bracy was arrested at the scene. He was reportedly treated at a local hospital for a broken nose before being taken to the police station.
Bracy also faces two charges of possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, possession of a weapon by a felon, carrying a concealed weapon and operating a car on a suspended license.
According to the Michigan Department of Corrections, Bracy's criminal history includes a 2010 conviction for carrying a concealed weapon. He was released from prison last October.
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