JACKSON COUNTY, Mich. — A teenager has filed a federal lawsuit against local law enforcement following a high-speed chase that resulted in the tragic death of one of his passengers. Cayden Powers, now 17, is being represented by attorney Ina R. O’Briant, who also serves as his counsel in an ongoing criminal case related to the incident.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan against Jackson County and two sheriff’s deputies involved in the pursuit. Powers, who fled from law enforcement in April 2023 when he was just 15, faces a charge of second-degree murder for the death of Jordan Jarrell, age 15, during the crash that ensued. Due to the nature of the charges, Powers is being treated as an adult in the legal proceedings.
According to the lawsuit, deputies Christopher Davis and Joseph Edwards are accused of breaching Powers’ constitutional rights by subjecting him to an unwarranted high-speed chase while allegedly failing to follow proper protocols. O’Briant argues that the deputies acted negligently and that Jackson County is responsible for not sufficiently training its law enforcement personnel.
Sheriff Gary Schuette refrained from commenting on the lawsuit, citing its ongoing legal status. The lawsuit asserts that the initial reason for the police chase—an alleged civil infraction—did not justify the high-speed pursuit that led to the fatal accident. It challenges the application of qualified immunity, which typically protects law enforcement officials from personal liability unless they violate clearly established constitutional rights.
Details of the chase reveal that Powers was allegedly driving a Jeep Wrangler with four other teenagers late at night when he was observed firing an Orbeez gun—an item that shoots small gel balls—at passing vehicles in Summit Township. Once Powers spotted a sheriff’s patrol vehicle, he allegedly accelerated away from the scene, prompting a pursuit that quickly escalated.
Video footage from the police dash cameras shows the vehicle careening out of control and rolling multiple times as it collided near Roberts and E. Ganson streets. The force of the crash threw Powers and the teenagers from the vehicle, placing them several feet from the roadway. Although significantly damaged, the Jeep remained upright and continued moving before crashing again in a library parking lot.
Upon examination of the Jeep, deputies discovered a fifth of alcohol along with the Orbeez gun, indicating potential reckless behavior among the group. Emergency responders transported the injured teens to nearby hospitals, where Jarrell was unfortunately pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The legal proceedings against Powers are set to continue in the Jackson County Circuit Court, with Judge Thomas Wilson presiding over the case. As the lawsuit unfolds, it underscores critical questions about law enforcement practices and accountability in high-stakes situations involving youth.