Calif. Supreme Court to Rule on PIT Maneuver Case

An upcoming California Supreme Court ruling will determine whether police agencies can retain immunity for police pursuit incidents resulting in injury or death.

A woman is suing the Gardena Police Department after her son died during an attempted pursuit intervention technique (PIT) maneuver in 2015, reported the Los Angeles Times. The officer used the PIT maneuver, a pursuit tactic that can force a fleeing vehicle to abruptly turn sideways, on a truck whose driver was suspected of armed robbery. The passenger in the pickup truck died.

The Supreme Court’s ruling may affect how likely people killed or injured during police pursuits or their families may win compensation from public agencies.

Related: Oakland to Pay $12M to Motorcyclist Hit by Patrol Car