Family of Teen Who Died in Chase Sues Police for $20M

The family of a District Heights teenager who died after he fled from police and crashed his dirt bike on city streets has filed a $20 million wrongful death lawsuit against Prince George’s County.

On Aug. 4, Amir Brooks, 17, was riding his dirt bike and left his apartment complex near the intersection of Marlboro Pike and Brooks Drive in District Heights. His mother, Pamela Brooks, told WJLA TV, Amir was pursued by a Prince George’s County Police officer up Pennsylvania Avenue to the D.C. line.

The off-duty Prince George’s County officer, working security, questioned whether the dirt bike was connected to a recent armed robbery at a county business, WJLA reports. But so far, there is no evidence that connects Amir or his bike with a robbery.

The officer may have violated department policy by beginning a chase for a minor infraction.

Pamela Brooks previously said her son likely didn’t pull over when he was pursued by police because he was afraid.

Amir “and his cousin were afraid that the [officer] was trying to inflict a very serious bodily injury or death upon them,” according to the lawsuit filed Thursday, reports The Washington Post.

The lawsuit also names Grady Management as a defendant. The company runs the apartment complex where Amir lived and hired the off-duty Prince George’s police officer as a security guard for the property, the newspaper says.

Amir lost control of his dirt bike about three-quarters of a mile into the District, and crashed into a tree. He was not wearing a helmet, and died at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help the family pay for Amir’s funeral expenses. As of Thursday, just over $10,000 has been donated toward the goal of $15,000.

It is illegal to ride an off-road vehicle on public streets in Prince George’s County, WJLA says. Offenders can be ticketed.

Prince George’s County Police have launched an administrative investigation into the accident, while Metropolitan Police investigate the crash.

»Amir Brooks, 17, of District Heights, died after he fled Prince George’s County Police on a dirt bike and crashed into a tree. Credit: WJLA TV screenshot