Death by Cop 2021-2025
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Andre Bassett Jr.
Age : 45
Gender : Male
Race : Black
Date : 07/28/2023
Location : Unknown
City : Hopewell
County : Prince George
State : Virginia
Agency : Prince George County PD
Officer(s) :Unknown
Cause of Death : Vehicle
Event : Killed by police chase crash
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 07/28/2023, Prince George County Police Department officers responded to a reported hit-and-run crash involving a pickup truck. Officers later located the truck on Route 10 and attempted a traffic stop. Andre Bassett Jr. continued driving while police pursued him southbound toward Hopewell. According to investigators, speeds exceeded 100 mph during the pursuit. Bassett lost control of the pickup near Merchants Hope Road, crossed the median, struck several trees, and was ejected. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The Virginia State Police investigated the crash.
The pursuit generated significant public controversy after Bassett's mother said the department refused to provide her with information about her son's death despite repeated requests and a Freedom of Information Act request. WTVR also obtained Prince George County Police Department pursuit policies and reported that the pursuit appeared to conflict with the department's written policy, which generally prohibited pursuits for property crimes or traffic-related offenses unless there was an immediate threat to public safety. The department declined to answer detailed questions while the Virginia State Police investigation remained pending.
VCU criminal justice professor William Pelfrey publicly criticized the pursuit, stating that crashes at speeds exceeding 100 mph are highly likely to be fatal and questioning whether initiating such a pursuit over an alleged hit-and-run was justified given the risk to the public. Bassett's family continued to seek answers about the decision to pursue and the circumstances surrounding his death.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/andre-bassett-jr-dead-crash-hopewell-virginia-july-29-2023
https://www.nbc12.com/video/2023/07/31/police-pursuit-ends-deadly-crash-suspect-flees-scene/
https://www.nbc12.com/2023/07/29/police-chase-leaves-1-dead-after-crash-hopewell/
https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/bassette-pursuit-not-permitted-august-28-2023
