JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ – A lawsuit filed against the township by the estate of man fleeing police during a 2018 chase has ended in a settlement of $1.2 million according to records with the Ocean County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund.
The case never made it to trial. During the process, it was determined that the police department was liable under allegations of negligent supervision, negligent retention, and inadequate internal affairs procedures.
The lawsuit filed against the Jackson Township Police Department and one of its officers claims they contributed to a motorist’s serious injuries leading to death in 2018. According to the suit filed in the Superior Court of New Jersey, officers responded to a fatal motor vehicle accident involving a motorcycle on July 5, 2018, at 10:20 pm at South New Prospect Road and Oak Drive.
Anthony Griffin, 22, of Jackson, was driving his 2004 Yamaha 999 Model Motorcycle southbound on South New Prospect Road when he failed to stop at a red light signal at the intersection of South Prospect Road and Brewers Bridge Road, as stated in the suit. Officer Cherrick Daniels attempted to elude Griffin by accelerating towards the motorcycle to close the gap between the vehicles and activated emergency lights in an attempt to stop Griffin.
Griffin accelerated away at a high speed towards West County Line Road upon noticing Daniels’ emergency lights. Despite Daniels’ pursuit, Griffin collided with Eric Larson, 24, of Jackson, who was driving a 2008 Hyundai Elantra, resulting in fatal injuries for Griffin and critical internal injuries for Larson.