DeLAND, Fla. – A DeLand Police Department officer was suspended after an internal investigation revealed he broke policy.
A statement from the police department was sent to Local 6 on Friday, after Florida Highway Patrol investigators released the results of their yearlong investigation into the deadly crash.
The crash happened on Sept. 19, 2012 around 3:40 p.m.
According to FHP, Travon Lacy, 17, was speeding down South Adelle Avenue in DeLand, trying to get away from Officer Matthew McCormick, who was pursuing him for an apparent seatbelt violation.
Lacy eventually lost control of the SUV and crashed into a parked semi. He was pronounced dead on scene.
According to FHP's report, the chase lasted 38 seconds, and Officer McCormick's maximum speed was 68 miles per hour.
According to DeLand police, Officer McCormick should have not chased Lacy through a residential neighborhood.
In a statement released Friday they said, "it was determined that the attempted traffic stop should have been aborted prior to the driver, later identified as Trevon Lacy, losing control of his vehicle."
The statement went on to say, "Although Mr. Lacy was committing the felony crime of aggravated fleeing and eluding, that offense did not justify a vehicular pursuit according to DeLand Police Department Directives."
McCormick received a 40 hour unpaid suspension as a result of the incident, and after serving the suspension, he resigned from the DeLand Police Department.
