INDIANAPOLIS — The widow of a man who was killed in a police chase crash is suing IMPD and the city of Indianapolis.
James Collins, 83, was riding in an Uber on April 25, 2024. The car he was riding in was hit by a driver who was fleeing from IMPD at the intersection of 49th Street and Carvel Avenue, near North College Avenue on the city's north side.
Collins was taken to the hospital in critical condition. He died on June 15.
In the lawsuit, lawyers for Collins' widow call the deadly crash a "predictable outcome" because the high speed chase went through a "densely populated area."
According to the lawsuit, IMPD was negligent in the following ways:
- Failing to properly train IMPD officers on when to safely start and stop chases
- Failing to properly weigh the risk of the chase against the reward of an arrest
- Continuing a chase when it was "increasing the danger to innocent persons"
- Failing to use reasonable judgement in starting and failing to stop the chase
- Failing to use "due regard" for the safety of all persons
Collins' widow is asking for a trial to award damages and court fees.
According to Collins' obituary, he was Chair of the Psychology Department at the University of Missouri-Kansas City for many years. He retired in 2003 but stayed active in Habitat for Humanity. He moved to Indiana to be closer to his daughter and four grandchildren.
Kevianna Vinson, of Indianapolis, the driver of the Jeep that hit Collins' Uber, is charged with seven felony counts, including resisting law enforcement, leaving the scene of a serious accident and reckless homicide. Her trial is scheduled for Dec. 3, 2024.
The incident started around 7:30 p.m. April 25 when a Northwest District officer was in the 3700 block of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street on an unrelated incident.
During that investigation, the officer heard a disturbance near Bertha Ross Park. According to IMPD, the officer then saw a person shoot a female and then get into a dark-colored Jeep and leave the area.
According to police, the officer then communicated that information to nearby officers, who located the Jeep nearby in the 3700 block of Clifton Street.
A second IMPD officer, who was in a fully-marked vehicle that had its lights and sirens activated, chased after the Jeep.
When the Jeep reached the intersection of East 49th Street and Carvel Avenue, near North College Avenue, police said the Jeep struck an uninvolved Toyota Prius, with two people inside, including Collins.
Following the crash, IMPD officers arrested the driver of the Jeep, later identified as Vinson.
The juvenile, who police said is responsible for the shooting, was also arrested and charged.
IMPD does not comment on pending litigation.
