Family looks for answers after 17-year-old hit by sheriff’s vehicle
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The family of a 17-year-old who was seriously hurt when he was hit by a Kent County deputy’s vehicle during a chase two weeks ago is demanding answers.
On Tuesday, the sheriff’s office said in a statement that Riley Doggett, 17, was unintentionally struck, noting it was “a direct result of the inherent risk accompanying the serious criminal activity that (Doggett) was engaged in during the weeks and months leading up to this incident.”
Two weeks after Doggett was hit, a vigil outside Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital was held Monday night to pray for a miracle.
“My brother is fighting to stay alive every minute, literally. He has a brain injury bleeding on his brain and he went too long without oxygen going to his brain,” Taylor Daniels, his sister, said. “They basically told us he’s not going to recover.”
Deputies: Car chase suspect hit by sheriff’s cruiser
Kent County deputies previously said they tried to pull over a stolen vehicle on April 8. During a chase, the vehicle ran off the road and crashed into a used car lot near 32nd Street and Division. The driver was arrested. News 8 obtained surveillance video from a business showing the passenger getting out of the vehicle.
Doggett’s family said he was the passenger in the car and was hit by a deputy’s vehicle minutes later.
“My brother wasn’t even the driver he was the passenger so we don’t even know what he was saying in that car. What if he didn’t — we don’t know,” Daniels said.
Used cars damaged by deputy pursuit, crash in Wyoming
Doggett’s family was joined Monday by family and friends of Samuel Sterling, a 25-year-old who died after being hit by an unmarked Michigan State Police cruiser in Kentwood on April 17.
“Lord, we know you understand the pain. One mother understands the pain of the other mother so when she is mourning, God, she has come out to support and add her prayer to this prayer now as we pray for the life of Riley,” Robert S. Womack, a former Kent County commissioner, said.
It was Womack who reached out to the Doggett family on behalf of the Sterlings.
“This is not a black or white thing,” Womack said. “This is a wrong or right thing.”
People held up lights Monday as a symbol for Doggett’s light to continue shining.
“Please continue to pray, please. I believe a miracle can happen, but we have to continue praying and having faith. And please don’t stop talking about Samuel or Riley ever,” Daniels said through tears.
The families demanded the sheriff’s office release the body camera and dashboard camera video immediately.
“Now. Today. Right this second. We should have had it then. There’s no reason we should have found out this happened to my brother from the news,” Daniels said.
“They should have had more respect for the family. Let us know first,” Doggett’s mother added.
Doggett’s sister said doctors have told the family his condition is dire.
“They’ve told our family that he’s not going to recover. That he won’t walk, he won’t talk, he won’t eat, he won’t use the bathroom,” Daniels explained.
A GoFundMe account has been created asking people to “Donate to Help with Riley’s medical and family needs.”
The Michigan State Police says the investigation is ongoing and declined to comment.
The sheriff’s office said Monday it could not comment further because of the state police investigation, but it released a statement Tuesday.
“We too are praying for Riley’s recovery. Although it is tragic when a young life is impacted, it’s important to understand this pursuit started when a stolen vehicle was observed ramming an uninvolved car, jeopardizing the safety of our entire community. These behaviors put an emotional and physical strain on our community’s victims and deputies. This is still an open investigation; however, KCSO needs to clarify that Riley was unintentionally struck by a police cruiser. This incident is a direct result of the inherent risk accompanying the serious criminal activity that Riley was engaged in during the weeks and months leading up to this incident.
“The safety of our community is our primary mission. We will continue to safeguard it. This department is committed to the highest degree of professionalism, and we are dedicated to serving our community and supporting our deputies.”
The Kent County Sheriff’s Office
Daniels talked to News 8 outside Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital before the Monday night vigil.
“We have no answers from the police, from the detectives, from his friends, nothing,” Daniels said. “I want to know why chase him with a car. Aren’t they trained to get out on their feet like use a Taser, anything? Like, why chase my little brother with a car and run his head over? A 17-year-old boy. Like, I feel like everyone makes stupid decisions. Everyone makes dumb decisions, but it doesn’t mean it’s justified to get ran over. It does not mean that you have a fighting chance against a car.”
“A lot of people love him,” Daniels said through tears, “and have shown love in this situation and I just hope he can pull himself out of this and see all the people that love him and see all the people that showed up for him.”
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