Minneapolis Police Officer charged in death of Leneal Frazier

The officer hit Frazier with his squad car while he was in pursuit of a suspect
Leneal Frazier
A memorial for Leneal Frazier on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, in Minneapolis. (Photo by Antranik Tavitian, Star Tribune via Getty Images) Photo credit Star Tribune

Charges have been filed against a Minnepolis Police officer involved in a fatal crash in north Minneapolis that claimed the life of an innocent motorist back in July.

Officer Brian Cummings is charged with second-degree manslaughter and criminal vehicular homicide for crashing his squad car into a vehicle at the intersection of 41st and Lyndale, causing the death of 40-year-old Leneal Frazier.

Cummings was in pursuit of a stolen vehicle when his marked squad car slammed into the driver’s side of Frazier’s Jeep at nearly 80 mph.

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman called the incident the most "egregious police case" to ever reach his desk.

"Officer Cummings acted recklessly and negligently," Freeman said in a Friday morning phone interview. "You can't drive that fast and you can't run a red light, You just can't do that."

Freeman called for Minnesota law enforcement to reconsider criteria warranting police chases, especially when it comes to the crimes that prompt them. The July 6 chase began with Cummings pursuing what was believed to be a stolen vehicle used in one or more robberies. Those robberies, according to Freeman, were not violent and did not involve firearms.

"My argument is and will continue to be is that before such fast chases and speedy chases are done, they have to be violent crimes or guns have to be involved," Freeman said. "What Officer Cummings was aware of from the police comments was they were non violent robberies."

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The decision to pursue charges was not influenced by outside voices according to Freeman. Leneal Frazier, was a father of 5 and uncle of Darnella Frazier, the teen who filmed the viral video of George Floyd's death.

"My decision not to charge cops in a couple of cases have resulted in over 1,000 people protesting outside of my house," he said. "What I've tried to do, and I'm not perfect, I try to do what I think is the right thing to do. In this case, I've been long concerned about police pursuit cases."

Earlier Friday, Freeman released a written statement on the case.

“Police are supposed to protect and serve citizens, and to act in a manner consistent with their sworn oath to do so. Officer Cummings’ actions deviated from his oath and his negligence caused the death of Leneal Frazier,” Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman stated.

Investigators say the chase had gone for nearly 20 blocks before the crash at speeds approaching 100 miles an hour at times.

Freeman said that these charges are in line with that they've found.

“These charges are appropriate based on the thorough investigation conducted. I hope the victim’s family and loved ones find some solace in knowing we are doing everything we can to get justice for Mr. Frazier,” Freeman said.

Cummings status as a member of the police department at this point is unknown.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Star Tribune