Brentwood Mayor Says Police Chase Was Justified
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- An injury-inducing car chase initiated by Brentwood police was justified, says Brentwood mayor Dennis Troy.
"Preliminary indications are that the officer that was involved in the situation has indeed followed proper process and protocol, and that as we continue this investigation more and more information is coming to light that will indeed provide substantive support for that position that we've just claimed," Troy said on Wednesday.
The chase into Pittsburgh culminated in a three-vehicle crash on Route 51, blocking traffic for hours and injuring two innocent people hit by the pursued vehicle.
Brentwood officials have not yet released details of why the chase was necessary or what officers were involved.
"We're doing our due diligence, and we want to make sure we present information that is factual and complete. And to do so it takes a little bit of time."
District Attorney Stephen Zappala has been critical of police chases, especially involving a motor vehicle violation.
But he wouldn't pre-judge Brentwood.
"Brentwood -- I don't have all the facts," said Zappala.
"I understand there was a violation and there were warrants on the driver. I don't know if they knew that when they initiated the pursuit. Detectives are looking into that right now."
Zappala says the use of drones and multiple street cameras makes many police chases unnecessary.
Mayor Troy says Brentwood will have a formal statement soon, but said there were valid reasons for high speed chases.
"High speed chases, you need to proceed with caution obviously, but you also need to understand that there are circumstances whereby you need to pursue actors because if you don't actors could potentially commit a crime and know that they're not going to have any repercussions."
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