Family of trucker flung from interstate seeking $26M from city government for fatal police chase that caused wreck

The family of a truck driver ejected from his truck and thrown off the interstate is suing the city over the fatal crash that caused the fatal wreck. 

The June 2023 crash happened in Lakewood Washington, as police pursued two robbery suspects in a Kia. The suspect crashed into 57-year-old truck driver Bohdan Vetrov, causing him to jack knife on the Interstate 5 ramp, and ejecting him from his truck, throwing him off of I-5 and onto the roadway below. He later died of his injuries at the hospital. Both teen suspects in the car survived the accident.

Now, Vetrov’s family has filed a legal claim against the city of Lakewood for wrongful death. Vetrov was a husband, and father to seven children. The family immigrated to the US from Ukraine in 2017, and he was the sole provider for the family. The suit alleges that the police chase was initiated without the proper considerations, risk assessment, or justification, reported Fox13.

“If police follow the rules and use common sense, they can catch the bad guys without endangering the public,” said Mark Lindquist, attorney for the family. “Officer Craner was not certified in any pursuit intervention option, which was a mandatory precondition to engaging in a vehicular pursuit under both Lakewood Police Department Policy 17.2.2 and RCW 10.116.060,” he continued. 

So far, the family has filed a legal claim against the city – the first step required before filing a lawsuit against a government entity in Washington state. The family is seeking $26M in damages. They may file a lawsuit in 60 days. 

The Lakewood Police Department has made the following statement about the legal filing: “The city will not be providing comment regarding potential litigation issues.”