crime
Officer fired for lying about chase that led to Uptown teen’s death
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The officer involved in a high-speed chase down Milan Street that led to the death of a college student home for the holidays in January was fired from the NOPD this week for lying about the case, authorities said. Officer Justin Ferris was pursuing a car after its occupants allegedly discarded what appeared to be narcotics during a traffic stop, police said at the time. As the suspects attempted to elude the officer, they crashed into another uninvolved car at Milan and Freret, where 18-year-old Mariah Woods was sitting. The Xavier Prep graduate was home from her first semester at Northwestern State University, and her death led to widespread mourning throughout the neighborhood and the school community. The full text of the announcement of Ferris’ termination is below:
Superintendent Ronal Serpas fired Officer Justin Ferris today after a thorough investigation by the Public Integrity Bureau revealed that Ferris broke several departmental rules while in pursuit of a driver who refused to pull over last January.
