Husband sues North Carolina PD wife disabled cannot walk talk cops chased speeding suspect at 120mph

A husband has filed a lawsuit against a North Carolina police department after a high-speed chase led to an accident that left his innocent wife, 70, with injuries so severe she was better able to take care of herself.

The chase, which took place in March 2021, saw Terry Harris flee an officer in the small town of Spring Hope, northeast of Raleigh, after the cop tried to pull him over for speeding.

Harris was going 57mph in a 35mph zone at the time, but things quickly escalated to much more dangerous speeds.

The high-speed chase continued for another 30 miles, with speeds reaching 120mph – and only ended after Harris ran a red light which slammed into Carolyn Bonner’s car.

Carolyn Bonner was left with several serious injuries that require constant care.

Police in the small town of Spring Hope, northeast of Raleigh, launched a car chase at speeds of up to 120mph before the suspect crashed into Carolyn’s car.

The lawsuit alleges negligence on the part of Constable Lashawn Lucas and his superiors in pursuing the high-speed pursuit. Pictured is one of the vehicles damaged in the crash

Terry Harris was driving 57mph in a 35mph zone, but things quickly escalated to much more dangerous speeds

Carolyn, 70, suffered serious injuries, including traumatic brain injury and spinal cord damage, and saw her spend 88 days in hospital.

More than two years later, she still struggles with speech, mobility and responsiveness.

“It breaks my heart. When I saw this situation, I had no more strength. It is from that time until now that we live by the grace and love of God,” said Carolyn’s husband, Al Bonner.

He has now filed a lawsuit in Wake County Superior Court against Officer Lashawn Lucas, the Spring Hope Police Department and the City of Spring Hope.

The lawsuit alleges negligence on the part of Officer Lucas and his superiors in pursuing the high-speed pursuit.

“Officer Lucas failed in his duty of care…initiating and continuing a long high-speed pursuit due to routine speeding [and] by failing to stop the pursuit when it became apparent that the pursuit was likely to endanger the lives and safety of innocent civilians,” the lawsuit states.

Spring Hope City Manager Andrew DeIonno said, “Officer Lucas has not been disciplined during his tenure as a police officer.”

More than two years later, Carolyn still struggles with speech, mobility and responsiveness following the accident

“She was extremely, extremely active, so that’s a total of 180. I know she’s looking out the window and hoping and thinking her life is totally different than it was,” Al said.

Carolyn, 70, suffered serious injuries, including traumatic brain injury and spinal cord damage, and saw her spend 88 days in hospital.

Al, who had been married to Carolyn for 31 years, turned to his faith to get this far.

“When I witnessed this situation, I was overwhelmed with grief. From that moment until now, we have relied on God’s grace and love.

“She always used to say that God is a restorer when she saw other people facing difficult situations. So now we repeat those words to him,” Al said.

Prior to the life-changing accident, Carolyn had a job, volunteering and caring for her elderly mother.

Since the accident, Al has now taken on the responsibility of caring for his wife with the help of home nurses available 24 hours a day.

Despite his wife’s bleak outlook, Al hopes and prays for a miracle that his wife’s condition may gradually improve.

Carolyn now needs 24-hour medical care from a team of nurses after the accident

The family is now suing Spring Hope PD over the 30-mile chase and life-changing accident.

Carolyn, centre, used to lead an active life where she volunteered and cared for her mother

Carolyn remained in intensive care for 20 days in a coma. She suffered head trauma, numerous broken bones and other injuries because

“She was extremely, extremely active, so that’s a total of 180. I know she’s looking out the window and hoping and thinking her life is totally different than it was,” Al said.

Despite his bleak outlook, Al hopes and prays for a miracle that his condition may gradually improve. A GoFundMe page was set up to help the family meet medical expenses.

Although the city has not responded publicly, the city’s attorney denied any allegations of negligence and argued that Spring Hope should not be liable for damages.

The city asserts its protection under government immunity which shields police departments from liability arising from the performance of their duties.

Philip Miller, the Bonner family’s attorney, pointed out that their lawsuit challenges the concept of government immunity.

A car is pictured after the crash, with the roof removed by firefighters to reach those inside

The city affirms its protection which shields police departments from liability in the performance of their duties. Pictured: Rescue workers are seen at the scene of the crash in March 2021

“We fully appreciate the difficulty of the legal challenges we face,” Miller said. WRAL. “The defense of government immunity is a huge obstacle. However, we also strongly believe that this police chase that ended with Carolyn Bonner suffering catastrophic and life-altering injuries should never have happened in the first place.

Al said he hopes his trial may deter similar high-speed police chases in the future.

“Major decisions have consequences, and we live with those consequences,” Al said. “What we’re hoping for is a big reduction in not having to go through what we have to go through.”

Harris, meanwhile, was carrying around $8,000 worth of marijuana in his vehicle at the time of the crash.

He was charged with multiple counts, including assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily harm, criminal speeding to escape arrest, criminal possession of marijuana with intent to sell, maintenance of a a vehicle for dispensing a controlled substance and reckless and reckless driving.