Family Of Boy Killed In Police Chase File Wrongful Death Lawsuit

By Jim Greene

Published on December 01, 2005

Lawyers for the family of a boy killed when he was struck by a driver fleeing police pursuit have notified the city of Orange, N.J. of their intent to file a wrongful death suit.

Dennis Howard, 13, was killed in East Orange while walking home. A car driven by Patrick Sterling, who was fleeing Orange police, struck him after hitting a truck and spinning out of control. The boy was pinned under Sterling's car and pronounced dead at the scene.

Sterling was charged with eluding police and vehicular manslaughter in an arraignment before Superior Court Judge Joseph Isabella, who set bail at $100,000. Guilty verdicts on one or both charges could result in 10 to 20 years in prison.

According to the lawsuit, Orange Police Captain John Young chased Sterling for a little less than two miles before the crash. No cause for the chase has been made public.

In a press conference after the incident, the Essex County Prosecutor's office promised a thorough and impartial investigation.

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