Policy followed in fatal Kansas chase

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- The Topeka police chief says officers appear to have followed department protocol in a deadly pursuit.

Thirty-year-old Zackary Palmer of Topeka was identified Friday as the victim of the crash.

He died early Thursday of injuries sustained when the driver of the fleeing vehicle lost control and crashed.

Police Chief Ron Miller says officers have latitude to chase violators or suspects, but they must have approval of a supervisor to conduct the chase. He says officers should not pursue a fleeing vehicle if the danger posed by the pursuit itself is too great.

But he says Thursday's deadly crash occurred just seconds after the pursuit was started.

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Information from: The Topeka Capital-Journal, http://www.cjonline.com