An average of one person is killed every day as a result of a police pursuit. On average, from 1994 through 1998, one law enforcement officer was killed every 11 weeks in a pursuit, and 1 percent of all U.S. law enforcement officers who died in the line-of-duty lost their lives in vehicle pursuits. Innocent third parties who just happened to be in the way constitute 42 percent of the persons killed or injured in police pursuits, and 1 out of every 100 high-speed pursuits result in a fatality.

In 2004 there were 154 line-of-duty deaths. There were two primary causes for death: 57 of the officers were shot to death, and 51 died in automobile accidents.

Between 1975 and 1984, there were 339 officers killed in auto accidents, compared to 476 in auto accidents between 1995 and 2004

"The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 314 people were killed during pursuits in 1998. Of this total, 2 were police officers and 198 were individuals being chased. The remaining 114 were either occupants of unrelated vehicles or pedestrians". Every one of those 114 people was somebody’s mother, father, son, or daughter.

40 percent of police pursuits end in crashes, 20 percent in personal injury, and 1 percent end in death.

Fewer than 17 percent of pursuits are initiated for a serious felony.

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), an average of four police officers are killed nationwide each year in pursuits. Also according to the NHTSA, in 1997 alone, there were 255 innocent people killed across the country in police pursuits.

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), an average of four police officers are killed nationwide each year in pursuits. Also according to the NHTSA, in 1997 alone, there were 255 innocent people killed across the country in police pursuits.

Fatalities in Crashes Involving Law Enforcement in Pursuit

Years 1994-1998

1994 - 283 Suspects died / 102 Bystanders died / 3 Officers died.

1995 - 249 Suspects died / 127 Bystanders died / 10 Officers died.

1996 - 267 Suspects died / 118 Bystanders died / 5 Officers died.

1997 - 194 Suspects died / 111 Bystanders died / 1 Officer died.