SPRINGFIELD, (WKEF) - Family of Eric Cole, begging for answers tonight. Many of them having seen the dash cam video, puzzled how Springfield Police Chief Lee Graff called the incident an accident.
Cole’s family now has legal representation, and the NAACP is working with the family to find justice.
“We will get justice, I will guarantee you,” said a representative with Springfield NAACP Division. “We will definitely get justice.”
Dash cam video showing just seconds before officer, 28-year-old Amanda Rosales runs over Eric Cole. Springfield Police Chief Lee Graff defending officer Rosales today in a press conference saying it was an accident, but he also says that doesn’t mean it’s okay.
The lead officer was trying to catch addresses on the house, Eric was lying in the street, as you can see in the videos and the officer did not see him,” said Lee Graff, Chief Springfield Police Department.
Cole’s family though disagrees.
“There's no way in hell that she did not freaking see him,” said Lekesha Bradford, Cole’s sister.
“I want the officer held accountable, just like if they get the suspect, they're going to hold them accountable,” said Regina Wilson, Cole’s mom.
His brother and best friend said he wants better answers from the police.
“There’s no excuse for what’s happened,” said John “Tirk Michael Moore. “We’ve seen all it. My eyes don’t lie. You can’t lie to me I’ve seen what went on.”
Attorney Michael Wright is now representing the Cole family.
“The family is upset they just want answers,” said Wright.
Dayton 247 Now’s Bryn Caswell asked, “Do you think he would have died if the police cruiser did not run over him?”
Wright said, “No, my understanding was that the cause of death was being hit and killed by the police vehicle.”
But the coroner hasn’t ruled on a cause of death yet. Cole being hit wasn’t included in the initial police report.
"He was shot in the arm," said Moore. "A shot in the arm isn’t going to kill somebody, somebody is going to bounce back from that. But we hide this. Why did we hide this?”
Candles still lit outside Cole’s home tonight as family still piece together what’s happened.
“I lost my best friend and people don’t know when you lose your number one dude, who you are with every day, and they got your back on everything, it’s different,” Moore added.
Springfield NAACP Division said its working on their investigation at this time. Michael Wright said his firm is investigating the crash as well. Once Wright completes the investigation, they will decide whether they will pursue legal action.
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The 9-1-1 call log showing the moments leading up to when Eric Cole was hit by a police vehicle. Some viewers may find the content disturbing.
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