The Prince George’s County Council unanimously passed a bill Monday in honor of 3-year-old Zoey Harrison, who was killed in March after a man evading a traffic stop crashed into several cars during a police chase in Capitol Heights.
The bill tightens restrictions on vehicle chases and requires police agencies to report all pursuits. The incident last spring was one of four fatal accidents this year caused by drivers avoiding police stops, three of which resulted in the deaths of innocent bystanders.
“This law becomes a living memorial, turning a heartbreaking loss into meaningful change,” Zoey’s grandmother, Gina Pryor said. “Through the Zoey Law, Zoey’s name becomes a symbol of protection, hope and advocacy for all children.”
The law will require city police agencies to follow the same restrictions for vehicle pursuits as Prince George’s County Police. Under these guidelines, police officers should only pursue vehicle chases if the suspect poses a threat of injury or death to another person or if they have committed a violent crime or felony.
The bill also calls for the Prince George’s County police chief to submit an annual report to the council on all instances of police pursuits to get more comprehensive data about them.
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During a press conference about the bill in June, vice chair Krystal Oriadha said collecting this information could help hold police agencies accountable for not complying with county guidelines.
“This is about making a clear stance that this is the law of Prince George’s County,” the District 7 representative said. “And then holding accountable any jurisdiction, be it a municipality or the Prince George’s County Police, that steps out of line with this law.”
Oriadha introduced the bill in June in response to these incidents, she said during an emotional press conference with Zoey Harrison’ family members.
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Tanisha Harrison, Zoey Harrison’s mother, thanked Oriadha for working with the family to introduce the bill.
“This bill can be the difference between life and death,” Tanisha Harrison said. “I support this bill because no mother should have to stand where I’m standing. No family should have to wake up to the news that their child didn’t come home because of a decision made in seconds that costs a lifetime.”
During Monday’s council meeting, Oriadha said she is also working with Maryland State Del. Nicole Williams (D-Prince George’s) to pass a state law in Zoey’s honor.
Currently, people who are responsible for a death while evading police are charged with a misdemeanor crime. Oriadha said that if passed, the bill would make the crime a felony.
“We are not stopping here,” Oriadha said. “We are going to continue to fight to make sure that we change the law on the state level to hold those accountable for these types of situations so it never happens again.”
