A Genesee County Circuit Court Monday heard a case involving high-speed police chases in Flint that resulted in death or serious injury.
Plaintiffs in the case argued that the police chases are an issue of civil rights They say a study of Michigan State Police data found chases were two to three times more likely to occur in predominantly African American neighborhoods compared with white ones.
In both instances brought before the court, it was the cars being chased - and not Michigan State Police vehicles - that collided with the plaintiffs.
The state is arguing that the case should be should be dismissed because the government has immunity since it was not directly responsible for the accidents.
If the judge finds that high-speed chases are a civil rights issue than governmental immunity does not apply and the case can move forward.
There is no deadline set for the judge’s decision.