Fatal crashes during police chases rose in Michigan in 2014

SAGINAW (AP) - Figures show the number of fatal crashes during police chases rose in Michigan last year to the highest number in a decade. An analysis by MLive.com found 27 people were killed in 23 police chases in 2014, up from 16 deaths in 2013. The increase comes as fewer crashes during police chases are being recorded. First Lt. David Simon, commander of the state police Tri-City Post serving Saginaw, Bay and Midland counties, says police don't usually know why a motorist fails to stop. He says there's "usually a more serious underlying reason" and police don't want to let them get away. Michigan State Police Traffic Crash Reporting System statistics say police pursuits with fatal crashes occurred last year in Allegan, Berrien, Genesee, Ingham, Isabella, Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties. Published: Fri, Jan 16, 2015