Pollard family’s unfiled lawsuit lists $13 million in damages against city

Attorneys for the family of David Pollard, the former Carver High baseball coach who was killed in a car crash, said Tuesday that they plan to file a lawsuit against the city of Columbus over his death.

Katonga Wright, one of the attorneys representing Pollard’s widow, Adrienne Pollard, filed a claim against the city for $1 million in April, but she said the city denied it.

At a news conference on Tuesday at the Columbus Public Library, Wright said they have not decided on how much they will sue the city for, but it will be well in excess of the $1 million originally sought.

Adrienne Pollard is also being represented by attorney Joseph Wiley, who spoke at Tuesday’s news conference.

An unfiled copy of the suit provided to the Ledger-Enquirer lists $13 million in claims against the city and individuals.

David Pollard, 36, died in April when a stolen Audi slammed into his Chevrolet sedan and knocked the car into a truck at the intersection of Buena Vista and Andrew roads. The attorneys for his family say the crash happened because the driver of the stolen car was being chased by a Columbus Police Department cruiser. William C. Cross, the 19-year-old who police say was driving the stolen car, faces multiple charges including homicide by vehicle.

Wright said David Pollard was running an errand before a baseball game when the three-vehicle crash happened. The stolen car was spotted by police and a chase ensued. But the first officer chasing the Audi on Buena Vista Road determined the busy roadway was not safe and called off the chase.

But, Wright said, a second police officer saw the stolen car go past him in the opposite direction on Buena Vista Road, pulled a U-turn and took up the chase again. The crash that killed David Pollard happened moments later.

“We are here today because coach Pollard was a model citizen in our community. He was a husband, father, brother, son, mentor, teacher and good friend to many people in our community,” Wright said. “We also recognize that this could have been anyone.”

Wright said the city claims the officers were following police department policy, but the plaintiffs say that policy is what put Pollard and others at risk.

“Police often think fleeing drivers are wanted for serious offenses, and we anticipate that was the case here,” Wright said. “And they dislike letting the violator get away. During a police chase, police officers can be overcome by a need to win and make the arrest.”

The lawsuit, which has yet to be filed, names the Columbus Consolidated Government, Police Chief Ricky Boren, two police officers and a police supervisor as defendants. Adrienne Pollard is named as plaintiff individually and as administrator of her late husband’s estate.

City Attorney Clifton Fay said the city and the police officers named in the lawsuit were not at fault in the crash, and informed Wright of that in April.

“It is clear from the dash cam video from the first officer and from the second officer that the accident was caused solely by the conduct of the car thief, who is now charged with felony murder,” Fay said.

The unfiled lawsuit lists claims as follows:

▪ $1 million from the Columbus Consolidated Government for policies that caused Pollard’s death.

▪ $1 million from Boren for negligent training of officers.

▪ $1 million from the police officers involved in the chase.

▪ $1 million from both officers and the supervisor for violation of policies.

▪ $1 million from each of the five defendants for wrongful death.

▪ $2 million for Pollard’s pain and suffering and full value of his life.

▪ $1 million for loss of consortium, love and affection.

▪ $1 million for violations of Pollard’s constitutional rights.

This story was originally published August 23, 2016 at 12:28 PM with the headline "Pollard family’s unfiled lawsuit lists $13 million in damages against city."