IRVING, Texas — The four people who were killed Thursday after police say a chase involving a stolen vehicle ended in a fiery crash have been identified.
On Friday, the medical examiner identified the people who died as 22-year-old De'Avion Aubert, 21-year-old Sabria Lacey, 21-year-old Anthony Lisbon, and 21-year-old Robert Alexander Gowans Jr.
Police said all four were in a stolen vehicle that led Irving Police on a nearly 12-mile chase into Dallas, when the driver lost control, flew off a guardrail, and crashed near Interstate 35 and Woodall Rodgers.
"It's the worst result that anyone can anticipate," said Robert Wall, a crime and justice lecturer at the University of North Texas in Denton.
Wall's expertise comes from working nearly 30 years as a police officer. Before teaching at UNT, he taught as an instructor for pursuit drivers to officers.
The chase started around 2 a.m. on Thursday in the 3200 block of North Belt Line Road. Police said the officers were out on patrol, saw the vehicle, and scanned the plates which came back as stolen.
Wall told WFAA, that in any chases or highly intense situations, there are numerous decisions made in a matter of moments.
"Every pursuit is going to be monitored by a supervisor, so it's not just the officer's decision," said Wall.
He said in pursuit situations, the supervisor and officer constantly communicate, relaying information back and forth.
The Irving Police Department said their officers are allowed to chase for stolen vehicles however, their general orders state that officers and supervisors can call off a chase at any time if the pursuit is too dangerous or puts others at risk.
Police departments like the Dallas, prohibit its officers from chasing a suspect for a stolen vehicle or property crime. This regulation was put into place by the department nearly 20 years ago.
In 2005, DPD had 355 police pursuits. The majority of those were for stolen cars and traffic stops. That year there were also six people killed in chases. The department only allows officers to chase someone wanted for a violent felony or a violent felon.
Wall said there are points during a chase when it is hard to decide when to stop, and when to continue.
"Anytime the benefits of continuing the pursuit are outweighing the risks to yourself and the public, then the chase should be called off that's not always easy to know," he said.
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