It was a devastating wreck last November at a bus stop on Moravia Road and Sinclair Lane.
The tragic chain of events actually started less than three miles away in Baltimore County. Wayne Green Jr. was driving without a license when he crashed into a police cruiser and took off.
He fled into the city with county officers chasing. The 38-year-old barreled down the street, slamming into a Volvo that had just pulled out onto the road. The car spun and went flying up onto the curb, the entire backside landing on 1-year-old Jeremiah Perry. The toddler had been sitting in his stroller waiting for a bus with his mom and sister.
"I had to pull him from underneath of the car, and blood just pouring from every angle of his head, and watching it, I’m just screaming help, help, help, help, help,” his mother, Teaira Smallwood, told ABC2 News the day after the crash at a vigil for Jeremiah.
Jeremiah died after being rushed to the hospital.
The boy's family demanded to know why county police pursued Green.
"I'm just trying to be calm, but it's like, I want answers,” Jeremiah’s Father, Darrin Perry said at the time. “I want answers, like how could they let the chase go on this far, all of this could have been prevented."
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Green was sentenced to 11 years for the wreck.
Now, Jeremiah's mother is suing the Baltimore County Police Department and the officer who chased Green. The lawsuit says in part:
"They knew they were placing the lives of innocent drivers and/or bystanders in danger when they engaged a driver in a high-speed chase and caused him to drive dangerously..."
Also named in the complaint is the man who was behind the wheel of the Volvo. According to the paperwork filed in civil court, he
"...failed to yield the right-of-way and made an improper right turn in front of defendant Green's oncoming vehicle..."
Additionally, the lawsuit includes the woman who let Green borrow her Mercedes that night. Saying in part, she
"...knew or should have known that green had a record of dangerous, reckless, and incompetent driving."
Online court records show Green has a long list of past traffic charges including drunk driving. He also pleaded guilty to homicide by motor vehicle while intoxicated.
ABC2 News reached out to Jeremiah’s family, as well as their attorneys for comment, but calls have not been returned.
Smallwood and her lawyers have requested a jury trial. So far no date has been set.
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