An officer from the Plainfield Police Department involved in a fatal crash during a police pursuit in August has resigned from the force. Officer Logan Westerfield's resignation followed the conclusion of an internal investigation by the department, according to a WISH-TV report. The investigation determined that while the pursuit itself was within legal bounds, the officer did not exercise "due regard" for the public's safety.
The incident, which led to Westerfield's resignation, occurred on August 30 when he was dispatched to respond to a report at a Long John Silvers restaurant. The fatal crash resulted in the death of an elderly couple, Barbara Williams, 78, and Bennie Williams, 79. Westerfield's decision to resign came on October 18, with the Plainfield Police Department still in the throes of grappling to fully detail the circumstances that precipitated the tragic event. In a statement obtained by FOX59, Chief of Police Kyle Prewitt expressed appreciation for the community's patience and trust.
Detailed crash reporting provided by the Avon Police Department, who took over the criminal investigation, indicated that the officer's vehicle reached speeds up to 100 mph seconds before the collision, which killed the Williams couple as they were turning onto U.S. Highway 40 at a green light. Despite the attempt to apply brakes and swerve, captured on bodycam footage, the pursuit ended fatally. This information was further elucidated in reporting by WRTV.
The chase began after an altercation between Officer Westerfield and several suspects, including 38-year-old Bryan Goodmon, believed to be impaired at the time. Goodmon, who nearly struck an officer with his car, fled the scene, prompting the high-speed pursuit that would ultimately have tragic consequences. "Our commitment remains to be a police department that our community can be proud of," Chief Prewitt told FOX59.
