The mother of a woman who died after a high-speed police chase in Denver is suing officers

The mother of a 24-year-old Commerce City woman who died in a crash after a high-speed chase with two Denver police officers is suing them for wrongful death and negligence, according to a complaint filed last week in U.S. District Court in Denver.

Cassandra Livingston died in a crash on the night of October 27, 2022, after fleeing from Denver Officers Matthew Prell and Jonathan Hayes.

Prell and Hayes began chasing Livingston’s black Kia Soul after she drove away from the 7-Eleven at 7676 E. Colfax Ave. They began chasing the car because Kia Souls are “commonly stolen vehicles,” according to the complaint. filed on behalf of Livingston’s mother, Tillie McHone.

The complaint says the cruiser drove past Ashley Middle School at 60 mph and near Syracuse and 23rd Avenue at 76 mph.

Livingston struck a tree in the 2400 block of Roslyn Street and was later pronounced dead.

Prell and Hayes initially denied pursuing the Kia Soul, according to the complaint and DPD disciplinary report.

According to a complaint filed June 3 by The Viorst Law Offices, McHone knew about the pursuit until a January news story by a Denver TV station.

DPD records show that following a December disciplinary hearing, Hayes and Prell were suspended from police duties for 40 days for their involvement in the pursuit and for 30 days for making misleading statements. The suspensions operated simultaneously.