OCTOBER 20, 2023 FOLLOW-UP GROUNDCOVER NEWS Ypsilanti Police Chief responds that Gordie’s case “wasn’t handled correctly” ALEXANDRA GRANBERG Groundcover contributor On September 8, Groundcover News reported that a driver in Ypsilanti — seemingly without legal consequences — ran over and severely injured Gordie, who is homeless and was on his bike. According to Gordie and another witness, the cops did not gather sufficient evidence at the scene or after. Groundcover has since watched the body camera footage supporting this. In the footage, the cops quickly conclude that Gordie is at fault, listing “no chain on the bike” and “biking on the sidewalk” as reasons, neither of which are expressly illegal — sidewalk biking is only prohibited in the downtown area between Huron and Hamilton. Gordie is sitting by the road with arms wrapped around his torso in pain while a cop, Justin Taite, talks to Gordie’s wife Jill. “Did you not see the car?” he asks. Taite asks Jill for Gordie’s personal and contact information. The driver seems unfazed as he stands by his car, a silver Sebring. “You say you didn't see him when you were coming up?” Taite asks him. “No, not at all,” he replies. Taite asks the driver whether his car has been damaged. Another cop separately confides in the driver that “he shouldn’t be on the sidewalk,” referring to Gordie. Toward the end, Taite walks up to three of his colleagues standing to the side. “Kinda sounds like they met at the same time. She was behind him, says he couldn't stop, she was coming down the sidewalk,” Taite summarizes. “The bike’s at fault,” one cop suggests. “Just asking for it,” a third cop, Scott Donley, says, failing to hide a grin. Taite is also smiling. “Issue has been addressed” The case report provides a less-than bare bones account of the incident, almost completely devoid of details. When Groundcover News spoke to the Police Department’s communication manager in August he said the case will be closed. But Police Chief Kirk Moore has later said the case was not properly investigated, that Justin Taite did not follow procedure and consequently has been written up. To Groundcover, Moore admits the case “was not handled correctly.” What does this mean for Taite? “I can’t elaborate on all the details at this point. The issue has been addressed formally with the employee.” What will happen with the case, and the driver and cyclist involved? “All I can say is it’s been handled and since corrected. The case will take its natural cause from there.” Justin Taite did not give a statement as per advice from his supervisor. Screenshots from police body camera footage, obtained via FOIA. Donley is pictured left; Taite is pictured right. 7
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