Search fatalities

Savannah Chandler

Age : 17

Gender : Female

Race : Unknown

Date : 03/24/2021

Location : Highway 431 and Seale Road

City : Phenix City

County : Russell

State : Alabama

Agency : Russell County Sheriff’s Office

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Passenger killed by police chase crash

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

.
REASON FOR CHASE: Passenger killed during attempted traffic stop
.
NARRATIVE:
On 03/24/2021, Savannah Chandler, 17, of Forest Park, Georgia, was a passenger in a vehicle driven by DeYeir Campbell of Douglasville, Georgia. Russell County sheriff’s deputies attempted a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 431, and Campbell continued away while deputies pursued north toward Phenix City. Contemporary reporting did not specify the traffic violation that prompted the attempted stop.
.
At Highway 431 and Seale Road, Campbell lost control of the vehicle, crossed the median into the southbound lanes and struck a utility pole. Chandler suffered fatal injuries and died. Campbell survived with non-life-threatening injuries and was hospitalized.
.
Authorities reported that Campbell had an outstanding Douglasville, Georgia warrant for assault. The warrant was disclosed after the crash; the contemporaneous reporting describes deputies as initially attempting a traffic stop rather than pursuing Campbell specifically because of the Georgia warrant.
.
DISPOSITION:
Police announced that Campbell would be charged with murder in connection with Chandler’s death.
.
Chandler's life before her death was later documented in an investigative journalism project concerning sex trafficking litigation. She had previously filed a federal civil lawsuit against Wyndham and a Days Inn alleging that she had been trafficked through the hotel when she was 15. Her grandmother raised her for much of her childhood and, following Chandler's death, sought donations for funeral expenses. The hotel litigation continued after her death and Wyndham settled with Chandler's family for an undisclosed amount in January 2022.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.wtvm.com/2021/03/24/accident-broad-st-phenix-city-leads-heavy-police-presence/
https://www.wtvm.com/2021/03/26/woman-killed-car-chase-that-ended-crash-phenix-city-identified/
https://www.wtvm.com/2021/03/25/driver-crash-phenix-city-faces-murder-charge-following-passengers-death/