ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The Albuquerque Police Department says its officers were following a stolen truck suspected of hitting a teen for longer than they initially said.
The Albuquerque Journal reported Thursday that 15-year-old Manny Tapia died after he was hit while crossing a street on July 17.
The department initially said officers did not pursue the truck. It later said officers were following the vehicle for a few seconds.
Witness Helen Taylor said she saw police vehicles with their lights on following the truck.
Department spokesman Gilbert Gallegos says new information indicates that officers were pursuing the truck for a longer time, but he doesn’t know how long the chase lasted.
He says officers did not see Tapia get hit.
The department has launched an internal investigation to see if policy was followed.
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Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com
