The family of Sharday Elder, an innocent bystander who was killed during a chase involving Cuyahoga County sheriff’s deputies last year, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit.
According to the lawsuit, the family believes the county violated its own pursuit policy by reaching high speeds, as well as other factors.
To read the lawsuit, click here.
What happened?
On August 24, 2025, Elder was at a red light when a car came out of nowhere and slammed into the driver’s side door.
The 24-year-old driver was being chased by deputies with the Cuyahoga County Downtown Safety Patrol.
The county says deputies first tried to stop the suspected drunk driver at St. Clair Avenue and E. 13th Street, but the car didn’t stop and took off east.
Minutes later, and less than three miles away, the crash sent six to the hospital, including Elder’s passenger, a deputy, a woman and a teenager, the same age as Sharday’s son.
