A heartbreaking loss in Lakewood, Washington, has sparked a legal battle that raises serious questions about police conduct during high-speed pursuits.
The family of Bohdan Vetrov, a father of seven who was killed in 2023, has filed a wrongful death claim against the City of Lakewood and its police department, alleging negligence in a chase that ended in tragedy, as reported by KOMO News.
This isn't just a story of loss, but a call for accountability when rules meant to protect lives are seemingly ignored. The lawsuit claims the Lakewood Police Department broke state law and its own policies by launching a pursuit without proper risk assessment or supervisory oversight.
From Ukraine to Tragedy in Lakewood
Bohdan Vetrov, a 57-year-old commercial truck driver who immigrated from Ukraine in 2017, was the sole provider for his wife and seven children. His death has left the family grappling with immense financial and emotional hardship.
The incident unfolded on June 29, 2023, after two juveniles allegedly robbed a Tacoma convenience store. Lakewood officers, believing they had identified one of the teens, staked out his home, setting the stage for a fatal chain of events.
According to the lawsuit, the teen initially drove safely and obeyed traffic laws while nearing his residence. Yet, when officers activated their lights, the juvenile fled, prompting a high-speed chase that spiraled out of control.
Questions Over Police Tactics and Training
The family's legal team argues that officers had a clear chance to apprehend the suspect safely by blocking his car in the driveway. Instead, they opted for a pursuit that disregarded basic safety protocols.
Prosecutors further allege the pursuing officer lacked certification in pursuit intervention, a critical requirement under department rules. Communication with supervisors and a plan to end the chase safely were also absent, per the claim.
The chase ended catastrophically at the intersection of Freedom Way and Interstate 5, where the fleeing juvenile ran a red light and slammed into Vetrov's truck. Vetrov, not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle and killed, while the two teens survived.
Family's Fight for Accountability
Mark Lindquist, the attorney representing the Vetrov family, captured their pain and resolve, stating, "They want accountability, they want justice, they want to make sure this never happens to another family." If rules requiring risk assessments and supervisory coordination were indeed skipped, as Lindquist claims, then the system failed at its most basic level.
The family also expressed frustration over the lack of consequences for the juveniles involved. Lindquist noted, "It’s my understanding the consequences involved electronic home monitoring with an ankle bracelet and a relatively short amount of time," which hardly seems to match the weight of the loss.
Seeking $26 million in damages, the Vetrov family aims to hold the City of Lakewood accountable, especially since pursuing a civil claim against the minors isn't an option. This case isn't about vengeance, but about ensuring such preventable tragedies don't strike again.
A Broader Look at Pursuit Policies
City representatives have stayed silent on the pending litigation, though Lakewood Police previously told KOMO News the crash happened too quickly for the officer to make a pursuit decision. That explanation, however, doesn't address why the chase began without following mandated protocols in the first place.
High-speed pursuits often balance public safety against the need to apprehend suspects, but when policies are sidelined, innocent lives like Vetrov's pay the ultimate price. It's a stark reminder that rules aren't mere suggestions, but lifelines meant to protect everyone on the road.
This case should prompt a hard look at how police departments enforce their own standards, especially in an era where progressive reforms sometimes clash with practical safety measures. The Vetrov family's fight for justice isn't just personal; it's a plea for a system that values every life equally, without cutting corners that lead to irreversible loss.
