Off-duty deputy killed in chase
Speeds exceeded 100 mph at times
WJRT TV NEWS
October 01, 2009
http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=news/local&id=7042712
MID-MICHIGAN (WJRT) -- (10/01/09) -- An off-duty Genesee County Sheriff's deputy was killed after leading officers on a high speed chase Wednesday night.Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell says, as a deputy, Rick Bennett had a stellar record and was liked by the people in the department.
But, Pickell says, Bennett was having personal problems. He says Bennett was going through a divorce, and was having problems dealing with it.
Last night, according to Pickell, Bennett was at his wife's home. The sheriff says he damaged her car in some way.
Police were called, and Bennett reportedly took off on M 13.
At some point, he was stopped. Sheriff Pickell says Bennett backed up, hit a police cruiser, and took off again.
Bennett led the chase to Grand Blanc Road, driving over 100 miles per hour with up to five law enforcement agencies chasing him. He eventually drove to U.S. 23 where his pickup truck rolled six times, throwing Bennett out.
He was taken a hospital where he was pronounced dead at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday.
The sheriff says Bennett worked in the traffic department, and was just promoted to sergeant last year.
Bennett was 34 years old.
Genesee County Sheriff's sergeant killed in off-duty crash after leading police on 100 mph chase
MLive
October 01, 2009
http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2009/10/genesee_county_sheriffs_sergea.html
GENESEE COUNTY, Michigan -- An off-duty Genesee County Sheriff's sergeant died late Wednesday after he lost control of his pickup while leading police on a chase that reached speeds of 100 mph.
The chase began in Durand after Sgt. Rick Bennett backed into a police car that had apparently stopped him for questioning about a complaint of smashed windows at his estranged wife's home, said Genesee County Sheriff Robert J. Pickell.
Bennett, 34, drove off after hitting the police car on Lansing Road about 10:30 p.m. and led police on a chase that ended when he rolled his pickup while trying to exit southbound U.S. 23 at North Road.
The 2002 GMC pickup rolled six times, throwing Bennett from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at Genesys Regional Medical Center just before midnight.
Officers from five police agencies were involved with the chase that continued from M-13 to Grand Blanc Road before ending on U.S. 23.
"Thank God no innocent people were hurt," said Pickell.
Pickell said the incident was completely out of character for Bennett, who had two children and had been going through a divorce.
"You could tell that it was very painful for him," said Pickell.
Pickell referred specific questions on the Durand incident to Durand police, who could not be reached for comment Thursday morning.
Bennett, the grandson of former Flint mayor Don Williamson, had been with the sheriff's department for about 11 years.
He had been on traffic duty and was a member of the department honor guard. He had no history of any disciplinary action, said Pickell.
"It's troubling to me because I know what kind of person he was on duty," said Pickell.
"It's a tragic ending to a sad story," said Pickell.
Actions called out of character for Genesee County Sheriff's sergeant killed in off-duty crash
Flint Journal
October 01, 2009
http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2009/10/actions_called_out_of_characte.html
GENESEE COUNTY, Michigan — Speaking for former Flint mayor Don Williamson, Joe Wilson said the former mayor's grandson, Genesee County Sheriff's Sgt. Rick Bennett, was a good officer who was respectful of everyone, and called Bennett's actions out of character.
Bennett died late Wednesday after he lost control of his pickup while leading police on a chase that reached speeds of 100 mph.
The chase began in Durand after Bennett, who was off-duty, backed into a police car that had apparently stopped him for questioning about a complaint of smashed windows at his estranged wife's home, said Genesee County Sheriff Robert J. Pickell.
Bennett, 34, drove off after hitting the police car on Lansing Road about 10:30 p.m. and led police on a chase that ended when he rolled his pickup while trying to exit southbound U.S. 23 at North Road.
“He loved his family, loved the job,” said Wilson.
He declined to comment further until the family gets more information from police about the inciden. He said Williamson is in seclusion with the rest of the family, and expressed condolences to all members of Bennett’s family.
Off-Duty Sergeant Killed After Leading Police On High-Speed Chase
Police Say Domestic Dispute Escalated Into Chase
WNEM - CHANNEL 5 NEWS
October 1, 2009
http://www.wnem.com/news/21171532/detail.html
The situation started at a Durand apartment complex where Bennett’s wife Leslie lived with their two sons.
The couple was eight months into divorce proceedings and a no-contact order had been issued between them.
Police said the situation degraded when officers started questioning Bennett for allegedly slashing Leslie’s tires and busting out the vehicle’s windows.
Bennett then fled the complex, hit a police car on Lansing Road and the chase began.
Leading police from Shiawassee County, police said he hit speeds of up to 100 mph.
Officers from five police departments were in hot pursuit and chased him into Genesee County.
While exiting U.S.23 at North Road, Bennett’s pickup rolled over six times.
Officers tried to give Bennett CPR but he did not survive.
The bumper and first aid materials are still visible next to the road.
The impact and spinning forces knocked Bennett out of his shoes and parts of his 2002 GMC still litter a grassy area off the exit ramp.
Bennett had been with the sheriff's office for about 11 years and was the grandson of former Flint Mayor Don Williamson.
Pickell said the incident was out of character for Bennett.
Off-duty deputy killed in high-speed chase
Richard Bennett was going through a divorce
NBC 25- Mid Michigan
October 01, 2009
http://www.connectmidmichigan.com/news/story.aspx?id=357355
Richard Bennett, 34, worked for the Genesee County Sheriff's Department.
Officials say Bennett was going through a divorce and there was some kind of domestic dispute Wednesday night at an apartment complex in Shiawassee County.
When police arrived, Bennett had already left.
Bennett led at least four police agencies on a high-speed chase of more than 100 miles per hour.
Bennett's truck flipped six times, ejecting him at the North Road exit of US 23. He died at Genesys Regional Medical Center.
Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell says Bennett was an exemplary employee, well-liked and that this action did not reflect the kind of deputy he was.
Off-Duty Officer Dies After Police Chase
WWJ Radio-Detroit
October 01, 2009
http://www.wwj.com/Off-Duty-Officer-Dies-After-Police-Chase/5344023
Police say an off-duty Genesee County Sheriff's sergeant has been killed after leading police on a chase that reached speeds of 100 miles an hour.
Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell tells The Flint Journal that 34-year-old Sgt. Rick Bennett died late Wednesday when he was ejected from his pickup truck after rolling over while trying to exit southbound U.S. 23.
Pickell says police were investigating a report of smashed windows at Bennett's estranged wife's home. When officers in Durand stopped him for questioning, Bennett backed into a police car before driving away.
Bennett had been with the sheriff's office for about 11 years and was the grandson of former Flint Mayor Don Williamson. Pickell said the incident was out of character for Bennett.
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