Ben Crump To Represent Frazier Family In Fatal Crash With Cop Car

MINNEAPOLIS — High-profile civil rights attorney Ben Crump will represent the family of Leneal Frazier, the bystander who was killed during a police pursuit of a carjacking suspect early Tuesday morning.

Among the members of Leneal Frazier's family is Darnella Frazier, the woman who filmed the murder of George Floyd at the hands of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.

Crump also represents the families of George Floyd and Daunte Wright.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Leneal Frazier, including Miss Darnella Frazier, who has now twice been directly impacted by lethal practices of the Minneapolis Police Department," Crump said in a statement Thursday.

"Police pursuits should be rare and law enforcement should take the greatest of precautions to protect all involved, especially innocent drivers and bystanders. The Frazier family and the Minneapolis community are mourning the loss of yet another Black life because of the irresponsible actions and failings of the Minneapolis Police Department."

Crump said he expects "a timely and transparent investigation by the Minneapolis State Patrol. The Frazier family deserves answers and accountability as they try to make sense of this terrible, and preventable tragedy."

Just before 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, an officer spotted a carjacked vehicle at 6th Street North and Lowry Avenue, according to authorities. The car was involved in several robberies, police said.

The officer initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle, but the driver did not stop, according to authorities.

During the pursuit, the police car going northbound collided with a westbound car at Lyndale Avenue at 41st Avenue North. A car going southbound was also involved in the collision.

The officer and the driver of the westbound car — identified as Frazier's uncle — were taken to North Memorial Hospital by ambulance. The officer suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Leneal Frazier died soon after arriving at the hospital.

A GoFundMe page has been established to raise funds for the family.

Editor's Note: Patch is a GoFundMe promotional partner.