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Angela Sanderson

Age : 28

Gender : Female

Race : Unknown

Date : 07/05/2022

Location : Abercorn Street and East DeRenne Avenue

City : Savannah

County : Chatham

State : Georgia

Agency : Savannah Police Department

Officer(s) :David Bates

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Passenger killed by police chase crash

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

REASON FOR CHASE: Passenger killed during a pursuit initiated after Savannah Police Corporal David Bates observed a pickup truck traveling without headlights and taillights. Bates activated his emergency lights and siren and followed the truck after driver Kasey Mark Sanderson continued away.
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NARRATIVE:
On 07/05/2022, 28-year-old Angela Sanderson was killed while riding as a passenger in a pickup truck driven by Kasey Mark Sanderson during a Savannah Police Department pursuit.
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At approximately 1 a.m., Savannah Police Corporal David Bates observed the pickup traveling without its headlights and taillights illuminated. Bates attempted a traffic stop, but Kasey Sanderson continued driving.
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Bates followed the pickup with his patrol vehicle's emergency lights and siren activated. The pursuit continued toward the heavily traveled intersection of Abercorn Street and East DeRenne Avenue.
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Kasey Sanderson entered the intersection against a red light and collided with another vehicle. The pickup caught fire following the collision.
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Angela Sanderson suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. Savannah firefighters pulled Kasey Sanderson from the burning pickup. Another driver was injured, and a person outside a vehicle was also struck and injured during the collision.
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The Savannah Police Department subsequently determined that Bates violated department pursuit policy. The department concluded that the underlying offense did not justify continuing a vehicle pursuit and that Bates had opportunities to discontinue the pursuit and allow the Georgia State Patrol to attempt to locate the truck. Bates was also found to have failed to activate his body-worn camera as required.
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Bates was initially suspended for 10 days. Following review of the disciplinary action, his suspension was increased to 20 days. Bates challenged the discipline, arguing that he was attempting to conduct a traffic stop rather than engaging in a pursuit and that he had reduced his speed and increased his distance from Sanderson's truck. Savannah Police maintained that his actions constituted a pursuit and violated policy.
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Kasey Sanderson was subsequently indicted on charges including felony murder, homicide by vehicle, serious injury by vehicle, DUI and fleeing. In 2024, he was convicted of first-degree homicide by vehicle, serious injury by vehicle and DUI and sentenced to 25 years, with 10 years to be served in prison.
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OFFICER BACKGROUND:
Savannah Police Corporal David Bates was identified as the officer who initiated and continued following the pickup. Savannah Police determined that Bates violated the department's vehicle-pursuit policy and body-camera policy. His disciplinary suspension was ultimately increased to 20 days. Bates remained employed by the Savannah Police Department following the incident.
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SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.wjcl.com/article/savannah-cop-fighting-to-overturn-suspension-after-chase-turns-deadly-at-busy-intersection/46001969
https://www.wtoc.com/2022/09/28/savannah-man-charged-with-murder-after-deadly-crash/
https://www.wtoc.com/2023/11/30/savannah-officer-pushing-overturn-suspension-violating-chase-policies/
https://www.aol.com/savannah-police-corporal-appeals-suspension-101252455.html