BY JANE PRENDERGAST
and TANYA BRICKING
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters expects to know early next week whether charges will be sought against Cincinnati Police Officer Gregory Berting in connection with Sunday's fatal police chase.

During the chase, Officer Berting hit a car near Cinergy Field. The driver, Michael Tenhundfeld, 18, of Delhi Township, died; two passengers were injured.

"When you look at cases like this, the standards are negligence and recklessness," Mr. Deters said.

If prosecutors decide Officer Berting meets the standards for negligence, he could be charged with vehicular homicide, which carries a maximum six-month sentence.

If prosecutors go for the more serious allegation of recklessness, meaning Officer Berting was indifferent to the consequences of his actions, he could be charged with aggravated vehicular homicide. That carries a maximum five-year sentence.

The investigation continues, said Lt. Tim Schoch, Cincinnati police spokesman, noting that the crossover into several police districts complicates the case.

"It isn't that cut and dried," he said. "The pursuit transcended many districts."

The chase started in Walnut Hills in District 1 and crossed into nearby District 4 before moving south into Northern Kentucky. When Cincinnati police became involved again, it was in District 3 on the West Side, then back into District 1 downtown and over to District 2 in the East End.

Cincinnati's traffic unit is reconstructing the accident, looking at speed, skid marks, damage to the cars and radio transmissions. Once the investigation is complete, the Hamilton County prosecutor's office will determine whether Officer Berting should be charged criminally.

Fraternal Order of Police lawyer Donald Hardin said Officer Berting is distressed.

"He has to handle it," Mr. Hardin said. "It hurts him a great deal."

Officer Berting's one-year anniversary on the force was last week. Today is the 23-year-old officer's third day on administrative leave.

Mr. Hardin said Cincinnati police should consider training changes to prevent a recurrence.

Cincinnati Police say high-speed pursuit training is left for highway patrol officers and those with jurisdictions that extend beyond the city.

"My whole feeling is if they have a policy on high-speed chases, they ought to be giving training," Mr. Hardin said. "You don't know how to roller skate by reading it in a book. You have to get out and roller skate."

STORY
PURSUED MAN RACKED UP OFFENSES
TENHUNDFELD VISITATION TODAY

Previous stories

COP IN CRASH RAN STOP SIGN June 17, 1997
COPS' PURSUIT RULES VARY June 17, 1997
DIAGRAM OF THE CHASE June 17, 1997
TYPICAL DAY, TRAGIC NIGHT June 17, 1997
HIGH-SPEED POICE CHASE FATAL June 16, 1997