LAKEWOOD, WASHINGTON — The family of a Lakewood-based commercial truck driver who was killed in a 2023 crash has filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit, alleging that an illegal and improperly conducted police pursuit directly led to the fatal collision involving his semi-truck.

According to court records, attorneys for the family of Bohdan Vetrov, 57, announced Tuesday that they filed suit against the City of Lakewood, claiming Lakewood police officers violated Washington state law and department pursuit policy during a high-speed chase that ended in Vetrov’s death on June 29, 2023.

The lawsuit states that Vetrov was lawfully operating a commercial semi-truck when a juvenile suspect fleeing police ran a red light and crashed into the truck at the intersection of Freedom Way and Interstate 5. Vetrov was pronounced dead at the scene. The juveniles involved in the crash survived.

Attorneys allege the pursuit was initiated and continued without required risk assessment, supervisory approval, proper training certification, or a plan to safely end the chase, all of which are mandated under state law and Lakewood Police Department policy. The lawsuit argues the pursuit should have been terminated once it became clear it posed a danger to the public, particularly to motorists like Vetrov.

“Police can catch the bad guys without endangering the public if they follow the rules and use common sense,” said attorney Mark Lindquist, a former Pierce County prosecutor.

According to the complaint, the chase began nearly five hours after a reported convenience store robbery involving two juveniles. One of the officers involved, Lakewood Police Officer Cole Craner, wrote that he was “100% confident” in the identity of the juvenile suspect and knew his home address. Despite this, the lawsuit claims officers made no effort to coordinate a safe arrest, such as waiting for the suspect to arrive home.

Instead, officers positioned themselves near the juvenile’s residence. When the juvenile was later observed driving lawfully through a residential neighborhood, an officer began following him and activated emergency lights, prompting the juvenile to flee. Attorneys allege Officer Craner was not certified in any pursuit intervention options, a requirement under both department policy and state law.

The lawsuit further claims officers failed to notify a supervisor, did not conduct a risk assessment, and lacked justification to believe that immediate arrest outweighed the danger of a pursuit. The chase continued at high speeds even after the juvenile ran a stop sign, according to the complaint.

As the pursuit reached the intersection near Interstate 5, patrol car video allegedly shows a red traffic signal while Vetrov’s semi-truck was lawfully crossing the intersection. The lawsuit says officers continued the chase as the juvenile ran the red light and collided with the truck, killing Vetrov.

Attorneys describe the incident as a “rogue pursuit” and allege officers ignored approved alternatives to apprehend the suspect. The complaint states it is reasonable to infer officers were attempting to scare or punish the juvenile, rather than safely arrest him.

“Given that the officers failed to use available, approved, and safe alternatives to apprehend the suspect, it is reasonable to infer that the officers were trying to teach the suspect a lesson by scaring him and endangering him or harming him in a chase,” the lawsuit states.

The complaint also alleges systemic failures within the Lakewood Police Department, including inadequate training and supervision related to vehicle pursuits, and claims violations of Vetrov’s constitutional rights.

Attorney Angus Lee, also a former prosecutor, said the case is about accountability. “This case is about accountability and public safety. A pursuit that ends with an innocent truck driver killed is a preventable failure,” Lee said.

Vetrov immigrated to the United States from Ukraine in 2017 with his wife and children, seeking safety and stability, according to the lawsuit. The family settled in Pierce County, where Vetrov worked full time as a commercial truck driver and was the sole provider for his household, which includes seven children.

Since his death, the lawsuit states, the family has faced severe financial and emotional hardship. In November, attorneys filed a formal claim against the city, a required step before suing a government entity in Washington.

The family is seeking $26 million in economic and non-economic damages, citing loss of income, emotional suffering, and the preventable nature of the crash.

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