Death by Cop 2021-2025
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Rantavius Johnson
Age : 22
Gender : Male
Race : Black
Date : 08/02/2024
Location : Danny Thomas Boulevard and North Dunlap Street
City : Memphis
County : Shelby
State : Tennessee
Agency : Memphis Police Department
Officer(s) :Demetrice Johnson; Bobby Fields
Cause of Death : Vehicle
Event : Killed in crash involving police vehicle
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 08/02/2024 at approximately 2:00 a.m., Memphis Police Officer Demetrice Johnson and Officer Bobby Fields were traveling in a marked patrol vehicle while responding to an emergency call with emergency lights and siren activated. They were driving southbound on Danny Thomas Boulevard in downtown Memphis.
At the same time, 22-year-old Rantavious Johnson was driving northbound on Danny Thomas Boulevard. According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Memphis police, Johnson's vehicle crossed the center line into the southbound lanes and struck the police cruiser head-on near the intersection with North Dunlap Street. The impact caused catastrophic damage to both vehicles.
Emergency crews removed all three men from the wreckage and transported them to Regional One Health. Officer Demetrice Johnson and Rantavious Johnson both died from injuries sustained in the collision. Officer Bobby Fields survived with critical injuries and underwent extensive medical treatment.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation assumed responsibility for investigating the crash at the request of Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy because it involved a Memphis police vehicle. Investigators processed the crash scene, examined the vehicles and collected witness statements and physical evidence.
Memphis Police identified Officer Demetrice Johnson as a 34-year-old officer who had joined the department in May 2023. Johnson was responding to a priority call at the time of the collision.
