A lawsuit has been filed against the city of Coral Springs, Florida, by the parents of a 6-year-old girl who died following a car crash. The family alleges that a Coral Springs police officer initiated a dangerous high-speed pursuit that led to the fatal collision on May 5, 2024.
Harlow Tran was killed when her great-grandmother's SUV was struck by a vehicle driven by 26-year-old Chevon Dalton Graham. Police reported that Graham was fleeing a traffic stop initiated by Patrol Officer John Daddino, who had observed a car with "extremely dark tints." According to arrest records, Graham allegedly accelerated to over 100 mph to evade the stop.
The lawsuit claims Officer Daddino was negligent by initiating an "unreasonable vehicle pursuit" for a minor offense and failed to end the chase when the risk to the public outweighed the need for apprehension. This, the suit contends, ultimately led to Harlow's death.
Harlow's parents stated they did not receive an immediate call about the accident, only being notified after the ambulance had arrived at the scene. They are seeking $50,000 for pain and suffering under Florida's Wrongful Death Act.
"That’s the point of these policies, and it’s important they’re adhered to. When policies are not adhered to is when there’s a significant chance of ending with results like this," the family's attorney, Brian Valentine, told the outlet.
Officials for Coral Springs have contested the lawsuit's claims, arguing that the incident was not a pursuit and that Officer Daddino followed department policy by deactivating his emergency lights and sirens. Court records indicate the officer turned off his lights and sirens as required by policy when the suspect fled at high speed.
Surveillance video reviewed by the Daily Mail appears to show Officer Daddino's patrol car behind Graham's Mercedes, with emergency lights visible at one point. Footage from the intersection where the crash occurred shows the lights were no longer on as both vehicles passed through. Daddino's cruiser arrived at the crash scene approximately three seconds after the collision.
Harlow is remembered by her family as being "smart" with a "really big personality," and that she aspired to be "the princess and the knight."
Graham faces charges including aggravated fleeing resulting in serious injury or death, vehicular homicide, and reckless driving. He is currently awaiting trial.