See dashcam video of Kent County Sheriff's patrol vehicle hitting, fatally injuring teen

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Dashcam video has been released showing a 17-year-old struck by a Kent County Sheriff's cruiser, causing fatal injuries.

Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker released the video Tuesday, May 28 while explaining why he would not charge the deputy driving the patrol vehicle, Josiah McMains.

McMains was chasing a stolen vehicle on April 8 when two teenagers fled near 32nd Avenue and Division Street. They had previously led police on a chase in the Netherlands area and the Land Rover was suspected of being used in several car thefts.

McMains told investigators he was trying to get his car in front of a teenager, Riley Doggett, to stop him from running through a neighborhood. He thought Doggett might be armed and saw a black object in the teen's right hand that turned out to be a cell phone.

The cruiser's tire cut Doggett's leg, causing him to fall and hit his head. He died a few weeks later at DeVos Children's Hospital.

Becker ruled there was not enough evidence to show the deputy was grossly negligent to warrant a criminal charge.

Ven Johnson, attorney for the Doggett family, disagreed with Becker's decision.

“When you see the car make a sudden movement to the right, you know you are going to come into contact with this person. You know if you're in a 3,000 to 4,000 pound police car, you're going to hurt and potentially kill that person,” Johnson said.

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