In 1984, Officer Frank Madison was involved in a high-speed pursuit that resulted in a fatal collision. The pursuit began when Madison observed a vehicle speeding at 74 mph in a 50 mph zone within Winfield city limits. Despite activating his blue light and siren, the driver, Don Edwin Adkins, attempted to evade arrest, leading to a chase reaching speeds up to 100 mph. The pursuit ended when Adkins ran a stop sign and collided with another vehicle, resulting in the death of a passenger. The trial court submitted counts of negligence and wantonness against Madison, fellow officer Max Brasher, and the City of Winfield. The jury returned a general verdict against all defendants for compensatory and punitive damages. The case highlights concerns regarding the conduct of high-speed pursuits and the responsibilities of officers to public safety. ([law.justia.com](https://law.justia.com/cases/alabama/supreme-court/1984/446-so-2d-21-1.html?utm_source=openai))
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