What Really Happened to Jakeira Washington? A 19-Year-Old Who Died in a Police Chase
Jakeira Washington, 19, was a bright and ambitious student who had dreams of becoming a nurse. She was studying at Bishop State Community College and working part-time at a local restaurant. She was also a loving daughter, sister, and friend to many.
On Dec. 4, 2022, Jakeira’s life was cut short when she was involved in a fatal car crash that resulted from a police chase. She was a passenger in a Toyota Camry that was driven by her friend, Jh’isaiah Franklin, 18. The other passengers were Jaylin Alexander, 18, and Charity Mills, 21.
According to the Mobile Police Department, the officers tried to pull over the Camry around 2 a.m. for not having the proper tag. However, Franklin did not stop and sped away, leading to a pursuit that lasted for about 10 minutes and covered more than five miles.
The chase crossed from Mobile City into the City of Prichard, where the police supervisors ordered the officers to discontinue the pursuit due to weather conditions and speed. About 45 seconds later, the officers came across the scene of the crash. Franklin had lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a tree near the intersection of Irvington Bayou La Batre Highway and Two Mile Road.
The impact of the collision caused Jakeira to be ejected from the car. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Alexander and Mills were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Franklin was also injured and arrested. He was charged with an attempt to elude, resulting in death and homicide by vehicle.
The Family’s Grief and Anger
Jakeira Washington’s family and friends are devastated by her death and angry at the police for their role in the tragedy. They believe that the police are responsible for the crash and that they are not telling the truth about the chase.
“It feels like they are treating her like she was a criminal. None of those kids in the car were criminals,” said Kenyatta McAlpine, Jakeira’s mother, in an interview with Atlanta Black Star.
Lillie Mancarella, Jakeira’s aunt, said that the teens were scared to stop because of their race and the distrust they had for the police. “We as adults get scared when we get pulled over so you think a child would not be scared also,” she said. “Yes, they’re going to be scared, and no, they don’t always make the right decisions, but they’re making the decision they think is right at the time.”
Annette Johnson, Jakeira’s grandmother, said that she received a call from the police informing her about the accident. She said that the police told her that they had stopped chasing the car before the crash, but she does not believe them. “They lied to me. They chased them kids until they killed them,” she said.
The family also said that the police have been uncooperative and have not provided them with any evidence or footage of the chase and the crash. They are demanding answers and justice for Jakeira.
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The Police’s Defense and Investigation
The Mobile Police Department has defended its actions and said that it followed the proper protocol and policy for the pursuit. Assistant Police Chief William Jackson said that the officers had a valid reason to initiate the chase and that they discontinued it when it became too dangerous.
“About 45 seconds after it was discontinued, the officers drove up on the accident,” Jackson said. “They didn’t know it had occurred.”
Jackson also said that the police have dashcam and bodycam footage of the chase and the crash, but they have not released it to the public or the family because of the ongoing investigation. He said that the footage will be reviewed by the internal affairs unit and the district attorney’s office.
“We want to be transparent. We want to be accountable. We want to be fair to everyone involved,” Jackson said.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is also conducting an independent investigation of the incident.
The Community’s Reaction on Jakeira Washington’s Death
Jakeira’s death has sparked outrage and concern among the community, especially among the Black residents who feel that they are unfairly targeted and mistreated by the police. Many people have expressed their condolences and support for Jakeira Washington’s family and their frustration and anger at the police.
A candlelight vigil was held for Jakeira on Dec. 6, 2022, at the site of the crash. Hundreds of people attended the event, holding signs, balloons, and candles. They prayed, sang, and shared their memories of Washington. They also called for justice and accountability from the police.
A protest was also organized by the Mobile NAACP on Dec. 11, 2022, at the Mobile Government Plaza. The protesters demanded that the police release the footage of the chase and the crash, that the officers involved be fired and prosecuted, and that the police reform their policies and practices regarding pursuits and use of force.
“We are here to say enough is enough. We are here to say stop killing our children. We are here to say we want justice for Jakeira,” said Robert Clopton, the president of the Mobile NAACP.
The Legal and Ethical Implications of Police Chases
Jakeira Washington’s death has also raised questions and debates about the legality and ethics of police chases and their impact on public safety. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, an average of 355 people are killed each year in the U.S. as a result of police pursuits. About one-third of them are innocent bystanders who are not involved in the chase.
Many experts and advocates argue that police chases are unnecessary and dangerous, and that they should be restricted or banned. They say that police chases often involve minor offenses, such as traffic violations or stolen vehicles, that do not justify the risk of injury or death to the suspects, the officers, or the public. They also say that police chases often escalate the situation and provoke the suspects to drive more recklessly and violently.
They suggest that police should use alternative methods to apprehend suspects, such as surveillance, tracking devices, roadblocks, or spike strips. They also recommend that police should have clear and strict policies and guidelines for when and how to initiate, conduct, and terminate pursuits, and that they should be trained and supervised accordingly.
On the other hand, some experts and advocates defend the use of police chases and say that they are necessary and effective in enforcing the law and protecting the public. They say that police chases deter and prevent crime, and that they help catch dangerous and violent criminals who pose a threat to society. They also say that police chases are rare and that most of them end safely and successfully.
They argue that police should have the discretion and authority to decide when and how to pursue suspects, and that they should not be hampered by excessive rules and regulations. They also contend that police should not be blamed or punished for the actions and consequences of the suspects, who are ultimately responsible for their own behavior and choices.
The Future of Police Chases and Public Safety
Jakeira’s death has highlighted the complex and controversial issue of police chases and their impact on public safety. It has also exposed the gaps and challenges in the policies and practices of the police and the justice system regarding pursuits and accountability. It has also revealed the distrust and tension between the police and the community, especially the Black community, that affects their relationship and cooperation.
As the investigations and legal proceedings continue, Washington’s family and friends hope that they will find the truth and justice they seek. They also hope that Jakeira’s death will not be in vain, and that it will lead to positive changes and reforms that will prevent similar tragedies from happening again.
They remember Jakeira as a kind and caring person who had a bright future ahead of her. They say that she was always smiling and laughing, and that she loved to help others. They say that she was a joy to be around, and that she will be dearly missed.
“She was a beautiful person inside and out. She had a big heart. She was always there for anybody who needed her,” said McAlpine, Jakeira Washington’s mother. “She was my baby, and I love her so much.”
