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Debra Ward

Age : 16

Gender : Female

Race : Unknown

Date : 12/09/2021

Location : Northeast Lowry Avenue and Hayes Street Northeast

City : Minneapolis

County : Hennepin

State : Minnesota

Agency : Robbinsdale Police Department

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Passenger killed by police chase crash

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 12/09/2021, 16-year-old Debra Ward was fatally injured when a stolen Mercedes SUV in which she was a passenger crashed at Northeast Lowry Avenue and Hayes Street Northeast during a high-speed pursuit by Robbinsdale Police Department officers.

The Mercedes had been taken during an armed carjacking near North 12th and Fremont avenues in Minneapolis at approximately 6 p.m. on December 8, and Minneapolis police notified surrounding law-enforcement agencies about the stolen vehicle.

At approximately 2:24 a.m., Robbinsdale police located the Mercedes near County Road 81 and Abbott Avenue North and attempted a high-risk traffic stop. The driver continued driving away, and Robbinsdale officers pursued the Mercedes approximately four miles into Minneapolis.

The Mercedes reached speeds between 60 and 110 mph on Lowry Avenue while the driver ran red lights, passed vehicles and drove into oncoming traffic. The pursuing officer lost sight of the Mercedes after it crested a hill near Lowry Avenue and Johnson Street Northeast while traveling approximately 110 mph.

The Mercedes subsequently went out of control at Lowry Avenue and Hayes Street Northeast, struck a tree and split into two sections. Ward and another passenger were ejected; Ward was transported to a hospital and died from her injuries. Another passenger died at the scene and two other teenagers were injured.
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The Minnesota State Patrol conducted the crash reconstruction.

OFFICER BACKGROUND:
The Robbinsdale police officer or officers who conducted the pursuit have not been publicly

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2021/12/09/minnesota-crash-after-police-pursuit-leaves-2-dead-3-hurt
https://www.ccxmedia.org/news/two-juveniles-dead-three-injured-after-robbinsdale-police-pursue-stolen-car/
https://www.fox9.com/news/two-dead-3-injured-following-crash-in-minneapolis
https://www.startribune.com/two-juveniles-dead-after-stolen-vehicle-crashes-in-ne-minneapolis-during-police-pursuit/600125351/
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/minneapolis-teen-charged-in-carjacking-chase-that-left-2-dead