HICKORY, N.C. — It’s been more than two months since Cynthia Fox and her 12-year-old son Michael Lail were killed after a Hickory Police SUV crashed into them during a chase.
Beth Fox, Cynthia's mom, said that it's a pain that never fades away.
"Every time I hear sirens, I cringe," Fox said. "Every time I see about a wreck in the paper or anything like that, I'm just like 'Please don't let some other innocent people get killed.'"
In efforts to protect innocent lives, Fox said they’ve started a petition in honor of her daughter and grandson.
Their goal is to implement a no chase policy, and so far, the petition has gained nearly 25,000 signatures in less than a week.
"It makes me very proud," Fox said. "It feels like I have a purpose and that people are backing this purpose."
From aggressive to passive, chase policies are different depending on the county, but the Fox family is pushing to implement restrictions statewide.
"There's multiple counts in North Carolina where innocent people have gotten killed that weren't even involved in the case," Fox said. "I want them to understand that this is affecting people's lives and that the general public wants to see this enacted."
A WCNC Charlotte investigation found deaths associated with motor vehicle crashes involving a police officer in pursuit have been rising, with law enforcement agencies across the country reporting at least 4,200 bystander deaths last year.
Here in North Carolina, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data found a 24-year high of 16 fatal pursuit crashes in 2020.
It's an issue the Fox family is now handing over to lawmakers.
"I have already started reaching out to North Carolina legislators and representatives, this tragedy cannot happen to any other family," Fox said.
A petition on Change.org has been started for the no-chase policy as well.
Contact Tradesha Woodard at twoodard1@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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