Coconut Creek cops get wrist-slap for high-speed chase that kills teen

By: Sun Sentinel Editorial, sun-sentinel.com

On the night of Dec. 2, 2017, a woman called Coconut Creek police to complain about noise outside a local apartment complex. A police officer who arrived spotted two young people inside a 2002 Buick LaSabre, the engine running. The smell of marijuana wafted in the air.

Minutes later, the then 19-year-old driver, Fabreece Ductan, hit the gas. Four officers took part in the ensuing chase, hitting speeds of 100 mph. Without alerting a supervisor, as policy and training would have dictated, they pursued the young couple for a heart-stopping 77 seconds. The chase ended abruptly when Ductan crashed into a car in nearby Margate. He survived. But his 18-year-old passenger, Abigail Espinoza, died.

Ductan bears the lion’s share of blame for Espinoza’s death, without doubt. He was wrong to dash away, likely worried about the two pounds of pot and bottle of booze later found in the car. He pleaded guilty last month to vehicular homicide and related offenses. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison.

Full story: https://www.sun-sentinel.com/opinion/fl-op-edit-coconut-creek-police-chase-20190201-story.html