A Florida family has filed a lawsuit against the Pasco Sheriff’s Office following a high-speed pursuit that resulted in serious injuries to a landscaper. On July 8, 2021, deputies chased Samantha Harvey after she stole a vehicle equipped with GPS tracking in New Port Richey. After initially losing sight of the car, officers re-engaged the chase using helicopter support and GPS monitoring. Harvey testified that she swerved off the road to avoid police stop sticks, striking Carlos Hernandez on his lawnmower. The accident caused severe permanent damage to Hernandez’s arm and brain, leaving him unable to work or perform daily tasks. His family was forced to move in with relatives due to lost income. While Harvey is serving a ten-year prison sentence for her actions, the Hernandez family alleges that deputies violated internal chase guidelines by not using safer alternatives like engine kill switches. The Pasco Sheriff’s Office denies liability, stating deputies acted within policy and that Harvey’s actions alone caused the injuries. The lawsuit is scheduled to go to trial in September.
Florida Family Sues Sheriff After High-Speed Chase Causes Landscaper Injury
