KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Jackson County Sheriff's Office deputy has been charged in connection to a May 2018 pursuit and crash in which an innocent bystander was injured.
Sean Stoff, 34, is charged with operating a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner, according to court documents. The misdemeanor charge carries a punishment ranging from a year in jail to and a fine of up to $2,000.
A probable cause statement said Stoff was assisting in a pursuit on southbound Missouri 350 in Raytown, Missouri. He had switched his emergency lights and sirens off, but continued to drive at high rate of speed while tracking the subject’s GPS coordinates using the StarChase system.
Stoff ignored a red light and entered the intersection at Maple Street. At the same time, Christopher Reed was turning left with a solid green signal.
Stoff’s vehicle crashed into Reed’s. Reed was ejected and sustained seriousinjuries, including a broken spine.
Video evidence showed Stoff was traveling at 71 mph at the time of the impact and did not slow as he approached the intersection, according to court documents.
According to the office's policy in 2018, deputies were allowed to shut off their emergency equipment when they use the StarChase GPS system, but they also were required to follow standard traffic laws, including stopping at red lights and driving the speed limit.
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