Sheriff: Deputy did nothing wrong in chase

The deputy pursued a fleeing car that crashed and resulted in the death of a pedestrian.
CINCINNATI (AP) -- The sheriff defended Friday a deputy's decision to pursue a fleeing car driven by an 18-year-old that killed a pedestrian.
"This was a horrible tragedy that everyone in law enforcement prays will never occur," Hamilton County Sheriff Simon L. Leis Jr. told reporters.
"However, as Hamilton County sheriff, I have thoroughly reviewed the facts surrounding this pursuit and have determined that the deputy acted within the scope of his authority and was within compliance with the sheriff's office pursuit policy."
Leis said the deputy, Cpl. Jeff Sabers, 29, who has been with the department since 1999, did nothing wrong in trying to stop the car after a report minutes earlier that someone did not pay for $16 worth of gas.
"Unfortunately, in law enforcement, decisions must be made in seconds, and the future cannot be determined at that moment," Leis said.
The victim
Leis said he offered his condolences to the family of the victim, Rebecca Maynard, 52, of Cincinnati.
Officers have charged Vernon Fears Jr. of Cincinnati with aggravated vehicular homicide in Maynard's death Wednesday night. Two juveniles in the car were charged with misdemeanors.
The chase lasted 90 seconds and covered about 1.7 miles through a commercial area in suburban Springfield Township, Leis said.
Maynard's death was the second this week related to a police pursuit in the area.
On Sunday, another woman was killed when the car she was in was struck in the rear by a driver running from police in suburban Reading, officers said. The 68-year-old victim was ejected from the car.
Police said the driver of the fleeing car, Randy D. Smith, 52, of Cincinnati, was charged with aggravated vehicular homicide.