x
Breaking News
More () »

'He was a great person' | Louisville family remembers man killed in crash, as suspect was fleeing police

Russell Barnett Jr.'s niece, Jazmine Barnett Thurman, remembered her uncle as a "great person."

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Louisville family is still grieving the loss of a man police say died after a suspect fled from officers Wednesday night. 

Louisville Metro Police said 26-year-old Coley Stotts was driving a stolen car from Indianapolis when they tried to pull him over on the 3300 block of Pflanz Avenue.

After the officer turned on his emergency equipment, Stotts fled and entered the intersection of 35th and Bank Streets, where he crashed into 54-year-old Russell E. Barnett Jr.'s vehicle. 

Police said Barnett had the right of way. He later died at the hospital. 

In a statement sent to WHAS11, Barnett's niece, Jazmine Barnett Thurman, remembered her uncle as a "great person."

Credit: Jazmine Barnett Thurman
Russell Barnett Jr. carries his niece Jazmine in one arm.

"[He] would help anyone who needed it no hesitation, he adored his family," she said.

Stotts is now charged with Barnett's murder.  He appeared in court Friday, where a county prosecutor said he's no stranger to criminal behavior.

"He's got prior convictions of fleeing second, wanton endangerment second and multiple convictions of convicted felon possession of a hand gun," the prosecutor said, adding that his prior criminal history includes charges similar to the ones he's facing now faces. 

A Louisville judge has since set Stotts' bond at $1 million. Stotts is scheduled to return to court January 22.

In the meantime, Barnett's loved ones are reminding the public, LMPD isn't to blame. 

"If the police were allowed to do what they were supposed to do, a tragedy like Barnett's wouldn't of happened," they said.

Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.

Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.

Before You Leave, Check This Out