LINCOLN, Nebraska - A claim has been filed against Lincoln Police and the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office for negligence in an accident in December of 2018 that killed an 14 year old boy.
The Lincoln Journal Star reports that Brandy Yost is asking $1 million from each agency claiming they were involved in a chase that caused her son's death. The claim also seeks damage for pain and suffering, funeral and medical expenses.
Investigators say two teenagers found an unlocked vehicle on December 26th of 2018 and took it. They picked up Zayne Yost and a 16 year old. Lincoln police then received a report of a stolen vehicle and it was spotted by an officer. A Lancaster County Sheriff's deputy also spotted the stolen vehicle but the driver took off. At that time they did not give chase.
The stolen SUV was then spotted downtown and a deputy tried to pull it over with lights and sirens on but the driver got on to I-80. The driver lost control on the 48th Street exit and the vehicle rolled.
All four teenagers inside were taken to a hospital and Yost was pronounced dead.
Law enforcement has video surveillance of the chase and the accident. A Grand Jury conducted an investigation and determined the crash was caused by the driver of the stolen vehicle that was running from police. The driver faces manslaughter.
Photo courtesy of Lincoln Journal Star.