Minneapolis Cop Charged With Vehicular Homicide In Fatal Crash

MINNEAPOLIS — A Minneapolis officer was charged Friday in a crash that killed a bystander during a police chase in July.

The crash killed 40-year-old Leneal Frazier, the uncle of Darnella Frazier, the woman who won an honorary Pulitzer Prize for filming the murder of George Floyd on her cell phone.

Officer Brian Cummings faces second-degree manslaughter and criminal vehicular homicide. He is not in custody.

Cummings' first court appearance has not yet been scheduled.

“Police are supposed to protect and serve citizens, and to act in a manner consistent with their sworn oath to do so. Officer Cummings’ actions deviated from his oath and his negligence caused the death of Leneal Frazier,” Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said in a news release.

"These charges are appropriate based on the thorough investigation conducted. I hope the victim’s family and loved ones find some solace in knowing we are doing everything we can to get justice for Mr. Frazier," Freeman said.

According to the criminal complaint, on July 6 around 12:30 a.m., Cummings spotted a Kia Sportage matching the description of a stolen vehicle suspected to be involved in several thefts.

Cummings tried to pull over the car, but the Kia sped off, authorities said. Cummings pursued the vehicle in his marked squad car with sirens and lights activated, the complaint states.

The chase continued for more than 20 blocks through North Minneapolis, including residential neighborhoods.

Cumming chased the Kia nearly 100 mph at times, authorities said. The officer was driving 90 mph as he approached the intersection of 41st Avenue North and Lyndale Avenue North, where the speed limit is 25 mph, according to investigators.

At that speed, it takes about 337 feet to come to a complete stop, the criminal complaint states.

Frazier’s Jeep entered 41st Avenue North and Lyndale Avenue North, where a green light gave him the right of way, authorities said.

Both the Kia and Cummings face a red light, and the Kia nearly missing Frazier's Jeep going 100 mph, the criminal complaint states.

Cummings’ squad car — going about 78 mph —collided with Frazier’s Jeep on the driver’s side at the intersection, according to investigators. Frazier was going 25 mph, authorities said.

Frazier died at the scene.

An accident reconstruction team concluded that "This collision can be attributed to the Defendant for failure to operate his vehicle with due regard for the safety of other motorists."

Reporting from the Associated Press was used in this story.