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Officer Cleared in Crash that Killed Innocent Bystander
14 Nov
Summary
- New evidence shows suspect hit victim first before police pursuit
- Officer acted within policy during chase, prosecutors say
- Suspect faces charges for leaving the scene of the fatal crash
In a tragic incident that occurred last February, an Orlando Police officer will not face criminal charges for his involvement in a crash that killed an innocent bystander. According to a newly released decision memo from the State Attorney's Office, the evidence shows the suspect, Dornell Bargnare, struck 42-year-old Gerald Neal before the officer, Christopher Moulton, unknowingly drove over Neal during the pursuit.
Prosecutors emphasized that under the Orlando Police Department's pursuit policy, Moulton was authorized to chase the fleeing suspect, exceed the speed limit, and drive through stop signs and red lights. While the "moral question" of whether the chase should have happened is separate from the legal threshold, the State Attorney's Office ultimately determined they could not prove criminal charges against the officer.
Bargnare has been charged with leaving the scene of the crash involving Neal's death, and additional charges could be filed as the case proceeds. The tragic incident has left the community grappling with the loss of an innocent life, even as the legal system determines the appropriate course of action.
