High Speed Chase That Led To Mercer County Woman's Death May Have Been Much Longer Than Police Said: Report

A high-speed chase that resulted in the death of a 22-year-old woman may have lasted longer than police initially said, the Trentonian reports.

Chandler Heaviside, 22, was running from New Jersey State Police following an alleged drug deal last week.
Police initially said the chase lasted five miles, but the newspaper retraced the path following a court appearance on Thursday, and reports the chase is more likely to have lasted 14 miles.

On Thursday, it was revealed that the chase began near Laurel Avenue Park in Trenton’s West Ward, according to the report.

Police previously said they chased the vehicle until they reached the area of the Whitehorse Circle in Hamilton Township. At that point, police say they backed off, but the Chevy continued north on Broad Street.

The Chevy then ran a red light at the intersection of Broad Street and Park Avenue, hitting the passenger side of a Honda Civic that was attempting to turn left on Park Avenue, police said. The Civic struck a telephone pole.

The driver of the car was 22-year-old Deja Farrior, of Trenton. Farrior was extricated from the Civic and taken to Capital Health Regional Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

The Trentonian used Google Maps to determine it is 14 miles from Laurel Avenue Park to Whitehorse Circle, and it was another mile before the accident took place.

At the time of the accident, Heaviside got out of the Chevy and fled on foot, police said. He was eventually captured by State Police, with the help of the Trenton Police Street Crimes Unit.

At the time he was captured, police say they found him in possession of heroin.

The potential disparity was reported a week after questions were raised surrounding the initial investigation.
State Police said they were in Trenton conducting an investigation around 10 p.m. when they saw the alleged transaction and gave chase.

However, while Heaviside struggled with heroin addiction, he didn’t appear to be heavy into dealing.

This has led the victim’s family members to wonder why police were targeting him in their investigation.

Their attorney, Robin Lord, has filed a complaint against the troopers involved in the chase to see how much of a role the pursuit played in Farrior’s death.

The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office is conducting the investigation, according to the report.

Heaviside is currently incarcerated in a Monmouth County detention center on $650,000 bail.