Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony is being sued for negligence, tied to a deadly car crash that happened in 2024 not far from BSO headquarters.
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Geraldine Francis and Lisa Jackson were killed when Gavin Dorvil, 21, crashed into the Dodge Durango the mother and daughter were in at the corner of NW 6th Street and NW 27th Ave on Aug. 11, 2024. Jackson’s daughter, Kumani Jackson, was also in the car and survived the crash, but suffered catastrophic brain injuries.
“I’m just really feeling it,” cried Donald Francis, who is now caring for his granddaughter.
Francis lost his wife, Geraldine, and daughter, Lisa.
“I try to be strong for everyone else; when they break down, I try to be strong and hold everything up,” he said.
Now the family is suing Tony for negligence, claiming two deputies’ actions caused the collision.
A BSO Internal Affairs investigation shows Deputy Mark Sugg and Deputy Nicolas Marciante tried to pull Dorvil over in a white Tesla for reckless driving, minutes before the crash.
Video from the Tesla Dorvil was driving shows the deputies initiated lights and sirens as they followed Dorvil.
“I just don’t see why they’re speeding through busy streets,” Francis said. “I thought they were supposed to give up pursuit when they see there would be hazards up ahead.”
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Surveillance video shows Dorvil speeding by a gas station moments before the crash. The investigation also stated one of the deputies accelerated up to 76 mph, the other up to 83 mph as they followed Dorvil, who was traveling 91 mph when the crash occurred.
The family’s attorney says that never should’ve happened.
“We allege that the BSO was negligent in initiating and continuing this pursuit and that its actions contributed to the deaths of Francis, Jackson and the catastrophic injuries suffered by Kumani,” said Josiah Graham, who filed the lawsuit on the family’s behalf.
BSO policy states that deputies should not initiate a pursuit on fleeing vehicles in several scenarios, including traffic-related offenses.
Both deputies were suspended without pay for failing to use good judgment when they continued following the suspect in the Tesla after the driver failed to come to a traffic stop.
When NBC6 reached out to BSO about the lawsuit, a spokesperson for the agency said it does not comment on pending litigation.
The family says it filed the lawsuit to bring accountability to BSO, and for monetary damages, citing that Kumani’s medical expenses and ongoing physical therapy have topped $1 million over the last two years.
Dorvil is being held at the Broward County Jail without bond. He is charged with two counts of vehicular homicide and several counts of reckless driving. His next court hearing is set for Aug. 19.
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