ROSEVILLE, Calif. — A Citrus Heights family was hit head-on during a Roseville Police Department pursuit in October 2022. Even though they all survived, it led to months of hospital visits. Now, they're suing, accusing the police department of violating their own policy.
It was just another normal morning for Shannon Killion, his 5-year-old step-daughter Ryan and his girlfriend Gianna. Little did they know, their life would forever change just minutes after leaving their Citrus Heights home.
"We went to go to basically where Roseville and Citrus Heights the border right there. And just out of nowhere. I mean, this truck — it was instant," said Killion.
Roseville police say officers were trying to stop a stolen truck when the driver sped off. As officers continued the chase, the driver crashed into Killion and his family on Roseville Road.
"My ears were ringing. I looked up, the whole roof, the car's gone, side of the car is gone. Gianna was hanging out of the car. Ryan was lifeless," he said.
According to Roseville police's policy, vehicle pursuits should be terminated if it is a hazard to uninvolved bystanders or motorists, and if the pursuit poses a danger to the public. The family's attorney believes this policy was violated.
"This was a situation that was an avoidable accident that actually should have never happened. There are certain policies that are in place for the Roseville Police Department that we feel were just disregarded," said Gregory Guth.
Now, the family is suing the department.
"[The officer] didn't go lights and sirens. He did not try to affect, to stop with the suspect," said Guth. "The truck that had the suspect in it was traveling at speeds in excess of 100 miles an hour. Roseville Road is a 50-mile-an-hour zone."
Even though Killion and his family feel fortunate to have survived, the injuries will last a lifetime.
"Gianna, she broke everything on her right side all the way down. I mean, literally everything. They removed her spleen," said Killion. "My leg was broken. There was an obvious deformity to the leg."
For Ryan, the child's life was forever changed.
"She can't walk. She's being fed through a tube," said Killion. "If there is a policy in place, I hope it's followed. I mean, I feel something went wrong. I really do."
A Roseville police spokesperson would not comment on this story and it is still unclear if the officer involved in thie chase is still employed with the department. As far as the man the police were pursuing, he also survived the crash.
