PORTLAND, Ore. — A federal lawsuit claims Gresham police chased the wrong vehicle in an armed robbery investigation, resulting in the death of an innocent bystander.
40-year-old Jennifer Parise died on June 25, 2023, after a driver trying to get away from Gresham police crashed into her car. Parise’s spouse, Lauran Parise, who was also in the vehicle, filed the lawsuit in federal court on Wednesday.
The suit is seeking $17 million from the city of Gresham and the officer involved in the pursuit, Jonathan Buck.
“I want to send a very clear signal that this is unacceptable,” said Lauran Parise in an interview with KGW. “I don’t want anyone to go through what I’ve went through.”
The suit claims that on June 23, 2023, Gresham police shared a bulletin with officers describing an armed robbery suspect’s vehicle. Officers were told to be on the lookout for a “Silver 2000-2005 Buick LeSabre” with no license plate and eight-spoke wheels, according to the lawsuit.
Two days later, the suit alleges Officer Buck spotted a 2004 silver Buick Regal Limited with six-spoke wheels near Northeast 181 Avenue. The Gresham officer radioed dispatch that he was going to attempt to stop the sedan believed to be associated with several armed robberies.
When Buck put on his lights and siren, the Buick’s driver took off going over 100 miles per hour down Northeast Glisan. The high-speed pursuit continued for 34 blocks, crossing from Gresham into Portland, according to the lawsuit.
The suit alleges Buck failed to turn on his body-worn camera, per department policy.
At the intersection of Northeast Glisan and 148th Avenue, Jennifer Parise and her spouse were stopped for traffic in their compact Toyota Yaris while on their way home from the grocery store.
At 6:24 p.m., the driver of the Buick lost control and crashed into the back of the Parises' car, police said. The impact broke the driver’s side seat, where Jennifer was seated. She died at the hospital.
“For me it is losing the better half, quite literally. She made me a better person and I don’t have that now,” said Lauran Parise, who suffered a broken nose, facial fractures, ligament damage, multiple cuts and contusions in the crash.
Gresham police determined the driver of the Buick was not the robbery suspect they’d been looking for. It was a different man.
Nathan Franklin Jr. is charged with manslaughter, assault, driving under the influence of intoxicants and reckless driving.
A spokesperson for the city of Gresham declined to comment because of pending litigation. Previously, officials said the officer did not violate any department policies and was no disciplined. Officer Buck could not be reached for comment.
Jennifer Parise leaves behind a 10-year-old son, who is a plaintiff in the lawsuit.
“There is nothing that can be done to bring her back. But it is important that this doesn’t happen to other people,” said Lauran Parise.
