“Warren Police Failed.” Woman injured in accident after filing lawsuit

WARREN, Mich. (WXYZ) — Some might say mother-of-four Brittna Turner’s life was perfect. She got married on August 5, 2022, on her birthday in Hawaii.

“I traveled, lived my life, had fun with my family and children,” she said.

But in the blink of an eye, her life changed. On June 8, 2024, she was involved in a terrible accident on 8 Mile and Mound roads around 9 a.m.

“The light turned green, I went on track and I remember being hit from behind. I also remember saying, ‘God, you can’t take me like that. I have children,’” Turner said.

Turner’s SUV caught fire as Warren police arrested a suspect after a high-speed chase.

Details I have gathered under the Freedom of Information Act, including dash cam footage, show the chase as it continued miles started in Warren at Runey Drive and Marlow Drive.

See dashcam and bodycam footage in the video below

Warren Police dash cam and body camera footage of the crash

Officers stopped the vehicle because the suspect’s vehicle did not have a license plate. The video shows police chasing the Dodge Charger through several neighborhoods, with several other units joining in with lights and sirens. The chase ended when the fleeing suspect crashed into Turner’s BMW along with three other vehicles.

It’s a side that still gives Turner chills.

“Broken pelvis in three places. It’s hard for me to sit for long periods of time. That’s why I’m shaking so much. I have nerve problems, a broken jaw, memory loss, three broken toes. I can’t wash or wipe my right hand or arm. Warren police must pay for it,” she said.

Through her attorney, Turner has now filed a $60 million civil lawsuit against the city and the police officers involved in the pursuit, seeking compensation for emotional and physical damages.

“I feel like the system has failed. The Warren Police Service failed and they are here to protect and serve,” she said.

The latest crash involving police in Warren was not a pursuit, but it was fatal. It was the early morning hours of September 30 when Warren’s scout vehicle, traveling at high speed, crashed, killing 34-year-old Cedric Hayden and 33-year-old DeJuan Pettis.

Related Video: $100 Million Lawsuit Filed Against Warren and Police Officers in Crash That Killed 2 Men

$100 million lawsuit filed against Warren and police officers in crash that killed 2 men

Their families also filed $100 lawsuits against the city and its police. Pettis’ family filed on Wednesday and Hayden’s family filed on Oct. 4. The complaint states that a Warren police vehicle traveling at speeds exceeding 100 mph collided with an SUV containing two men.

“It seems like it happens every week and they just fly by, sirens blaring most of the time and it’s only a matter of time before something happens. And unfortunately something happened,” said a witness who wished to remain anonymous.

The witness, who did not want to be identified, works for a company at Prospect Avenue and Schoenherr Road and saw the aftermath of the Sept. 30 crash.

“I’m fully aware that they have a job to do on time and some of the situations are extremely critical, but I would like to see something that would at least limit the speed at which they are moving,” he said.

Previous coverage: Vigil held in Warren for 2 best friends who died in crash that also injured 2 officers

A vigil was held in Warren for friends who died in the crash that also injured officers

Meanwhile, the son of Detroit activist Oliver Gantt was also injured last year when a suspect fleeing Warren police crashed into his son’s car.

“The pursuits are excessive, they are not justified. It’s especially negligent when you’re flying down the street in a police car and someone has an accident and you don’t have your siren on. “Detroit simplified its policy by saying we won’t do chases, we don’t cause accidents, we don’t kill people here, Warren is a different story,” Grantt said.

I also requested an interview with the Warren Police several times, but they refused for weeks due to ongoing legal proceedings. On Wednesday, the ministry finally organized a press conference. Lt. John Gajewski said the department would not comment on the incident involving Pettis and Hayden.

In the video below, you’ll hear Warren police respond to the lawsuit

Warren police are responding to a lawsuit filed regarding a woman who was injured in a crash

Gajewski says they never received a complaint from Turner.

“The public must see that this lawsuit contains inflammatory, buzzwords used solely for the purpose of gaining media attention and harming the reputation of the hard-working men and women of this police department,” Gajewski said.

Gajewski claims that, contrary to the content of the lawsuit, police lights and sirens were turned on during the chase, and the lawsuit is baseless because no police unit ever hit Turner’s vehicle. However, as the dash cam footage shows, it was about 19 seconds to the police headquarters, which is why Turner claims she never heard any sirens or saw any lights.

I asked Gajewski how he would react to comments that there would never be an accident if there was no pursuit at all.

“That’s a very valid point. I watched this video and I see our officers doing what residents expect of us,” he replied.

I also asked him when the chase would end, as the one with Turner went through residential neighborhoods.

“Again, a chase down a residential side street does not result in automatic disqualification,” Gajewski said.

I was able to obtain a copy of the Warren Police Department’s pursuit policy. However, the section on prohibited practices has been redacted.

“It’s ridiculous. Too many families are hurting,” Turner said.

I also contacted Warren Mayor Lori Stone to ask for an interview, and her team says that because this is an issue related to police policy and procedure, the police department would be best qualified to answer my questions. Warren’s new police commissioner, Eric Hawkins, will also take up his duties in December.

I asked Turner, “if you had the opportunity to ask the new commissioner a question, what would you ask him?”

“How are you going to change? What are you going to change? What if this was your daughter or grandson – how would you feel?”