BY JOHN HOPKINS
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Gregory Berting

The actions of Gregory Berting - the former Cincinnati officer involved in a fatal high-speed pursuit - were not "felonious in nature," according to Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph Deters.

Mr. Deters said he informed the city by letter Monday of his decision not to prosecute Mr. Berting. It is now up to the city to review the former officer's actions to determine whether there is possible misdemeanor liability, he said.

"Basically, we determined he was not reckless, but the determination whether or not he was negligent is up to the city," Mr. Deters said.

Mr. Berting was involved in the high-speed pursuit of Paul Wayne Lovelace on June 15 when he drove through a stop sign and crashed into another car, killing a teen-age driver.

Michael Tenhundfeld, 18, died as a result of the crash. Two other passengers in his car were injuried.

Mr. Lovelace was charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Mr. Berting was fired last week from the force. His failure to stop at the sign was found to be a violation of the department's policy regarding pursuits.

If the city finds Mr. Berting was negligent, he could be charged with misdemeanor vehicular homicide, punishable by six months in jail. The more serious charge of aggravated vehicular homicide would have carried a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

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OFFICER: CHASE WAS SLOW June 18, 1997
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TENHUNDFELD VISITATION TODAY June 18, 1997
COP IN CRASH RAN STOP SIGN June 17, 1997
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DIAGRAM OF THE CHASE June 17, 1997
TYPICAL DAY, TRAGIC NIGHT June 17, 1997
HIGH-SPEED POICE CHASE FATAL June 16, 1997