Parents of young man who was killed say cops should’ve stopped the chase
Oakland Tribune
The parents of a young man killed while riding in a truck being chased by the Millbrae, Calif. Police Department down the wrong lane of Highway 280 are suing the city, saying officers should have given up the high-speed pursuit.
They also are suing the driver of the truck, 21-year-old Joseph Boldt, who is facing murder and manslaughter charges in the March 16, 2003 incident and being held on $1 million bail.
Twenty-year-old Bobby Kleinheinz was a passenger in Boldt’s Nissan pickup truck, and died when Boldt crashed head-on into a Redwood City man, who was injured in the wreck.
Kleinheinz’ parents, William Kleinheinz and Maxine Mercier, are each seeking more than $25,000 from Millbrae police and Boldt. While many neighboring towns have laws against chasing fleeing drivers who are not suspected of serious felonies, Millbrae has fewer limitations.
The suit says officers needlessly endangered their son and other drivers on the road.
Millbrae City Attorney Joan Cassman does not comment on police issues, a City Hall staffer said, and Public Safety Director Dennis Haag could not be reached for comment.
According to court records, the chase began after Boldt allegedly ran a stop sign on Skyline Drive in Millbrae. Boldt reportedly sped south in the northbound lane of 280, reaching speeds of 110 miles per hour and spanning 18 miles.
Millbrae Police Sgt. Marc Farber was the pursuing officer.
Boldt eventually crashed into a Toyota Corolla driven by 28-year-old Girish Wadwani of Redwood City. Boldt and Kleinheinz were both ejected from the truck. Boldt was hospitalized with a fractured leg, and Wadwani was also seriously hurt.
Highway Patrol investigators cleared Farber of any wrongdoing, saying his lights and sirens gave adequate warning to oncoming traffic.
Boldt faces charges of murder, vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence in the incident.
William Kleinheinz could not be reached for comment late Monday afternoon.