An off-duty Hermitage police patrolman is facing a stack of charges after state police say he used a PIT maneuver on an SUV he was chasing following an incident involving his child at a Greenville Walmart. Four people were in the SUV, and two of them were taken to the hospital with suspected serious injuries.
What investigators say
According to WKRC, the crash happened around 9:30 p.m. on Friday, June 26, after the off-duty officer chased the SUV from the Greenville Walmart. Investigators allege he executed a PIT maneuver that sent the vehicle off the roadway, where it hit an anchor wire for a utility pole, then a tree, before flipping over.
Officer and department
The City of Hermitage staff directory lists Derek Jeziorkowski as a patrolman with the Hermitage Police Department. The listing confirms Jeziorkowski is an on-staff officer with the department that serves Hermitage and nearby communities.
Charges and next steps
WKRC reports that Jeziorkowski has been charged with four counts each of aggravated assault, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person, along with unspecified traffic violations. He was arraigned on June 27 and is scheduled to be back in court on July 7. Hermitage Police Chief Adam Piccirillo told local outlets that Jeziorkowski has been placed on leave while the investigation continues.
Why the PIT maneuver matters
PIT maneuvers are a contentious tool in law enforcement because they can spin vehicles out at high speed, leading to rollovers that endanger drivers, passengers and anyone nearby. An investigation by The Washington Post documented dozens of deaths and many injuries tied to PITs nationwide, and federal pursuit guidelines highlight the significant risk these tactics pose to the public and officers. In response, some agencies have tightened their rules on when and how PIT maneuvers can be used.
What to watch
The case is expected to move forward in the local courts on the already scheduled July 7 date, with prosecutors reviewing evidence from the crash, any available body or dash camera footage, witness statements and the state police investigation. Authorities have not released additional details about the earlier interaction at Walmart, and state police say the investigation is ongoing, so more information could surface as the court process continues.
