LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Larry Williams testified Tuesday in an ongoing civil trial that the 2021 fiery crash that killed 22-year-old Trevon Mitchell would not have happened if a Louisville police officer hadn't pursued him.

Louisville Metro Police Officer Ben Sullivan is accused of violating the department's chase policy during the incident on July 6, 2021, when he tried to pull over a car driven by Williams for expired tags. Williams took off, and Sullivan chased him. The chase ended in a fiery crash when Williams sped through a stoplight at the intersection of Broadway and Dr. W.J. Hodge Street.

Williams hit Mitchell, who was on a moped and died in the crash. Four other people were also injured. Police reports indicate the suspect was traveling between 90-95 mph at the time of the collision, and attorneys believe it proves the suspect was being pursued by an LMPD officer.

Williams was arrested several weeks later and charged with murder. He's since been convicted and sentenced to prison, but Mitchell's family believes Sullivan should be held accountable for his actions prior to the crash. 

"Bottom line is if officer Sullivan would've followed the policy that he was supposed to follow, that he was required to follow, that he was mandated to follow, then this never would've happened, right?" asked plaintiff attorney Nick Naiser.

"Yes sir," Williams said, indicating a fear of law enforcement triggered him to flee when he saw police lights.

However, the defense team for Sullivan cross-examined Williams, suggesting Williams would've continued to flee regardless of Sullivan's pursuit.

"On the day of this accident, as soon as the accident happened, did you accept responsibility for what you did?" attorney Rod Payne asked Williams.

"I don't even recall...," Williams answered. "I don't remember what happened right then and there."

"As soon as the accident happened, sir, the truth is you were going to continue to flee no matter what because that's what you did," Payne responded while showing video of Sullivan helping victims while Williams continued to flee.

Earlier Tuesday, Lamont Washington, an investigator with the Louisville Metro Police Professional Standards Unit, said Sullivan did violate the department's pursuit policy before the crash. 

However, Washington would also testify that while Sullivan did break the LMPD pursuit policy, he drove his squad car "with due regard" for the safety of others and was not punished for violating that policy.

A lawsuit filed in August 2021 alleges Sullivan was chasing the Williams. LMPD policy prohibits officers from pursuing suspects who flee after violating traffic laws. LMPD's chase policy has been part of questioning throughout the trial, including the methods and timing of the investigation. 

Lamont Washington

Lamont Washington, an investigator with the Louisville Metro Police Professional Standards Unit. Nov. 28. 2023. (WDRB Photo)

Last week, LMPD Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel testified that there was no body camera footage from her because she was not wearing a camera when visiting the scene. But attorneys later located a picture showing of the chief wearing a body camera after the crash. 

In earlier testimony on Friday, after the chief said she hadn't been wearing a body camera, she was asked if she would face discipline, as per standard operating procedures. 

"Discipline myself?" she said, arguing she did not have her body camera with her. 

When asked about the matter on the stand Tuesday, Washington testified that Gwinn-Villaroel or a civilian would have to file a complaint with the PSU for an investigation to formally be opened.

In a statement released last week, Gwinn-Villaroel said she misspoke in court, and that the testimony she gave "was to the best of my recollection of the events" and that she "did not recall wearing a body-worn camera that day."

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