Mishawaka sued over police pursuit that killed 18-year-old woman

MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- A lawsuit has been filed against the city of Mishawaka in connection with the death of 18-year-old Elizabeth Johnson-Neher. Johnson-Neher was a passenger in a vehicle that was struck by a vehicle fleeing Mishawaka Police.

On December 2, 2020, a Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Jessie Ricardo Lottie Jr, collided with a Chevy Cavalier at the intersection of 13th and Spring streets, court records say.

The driver of the Cavalier, Clayton McClish, and passenger, Johnson Neher, died in the collision.

The lawsuit alleges police officers pursuing the Grand Prix did not follow the International Association of Chiefs of Police Model Policy on Vehicular Pursuit and that the city failed to train its officers properly on pursuit techniques, improperly pursued a vehicle through residential streets and pursued a vehicle driven by a suspect without witnessing the suspect commit a crime.

The family alleges the careless and negligent acts of the city of Mishawaka's Police Department caused the fatal injuries, the suit says.

Johnson-Neher's parents are suing for emotional distress, mental and physical pain and suffering and mental anguish as a result of their daughter's death.

They seek damages to compensate them for the injuries and damages sustained by Johnson-Neher, as well as the cost of the lawsuit.