
Hennepin County prosecutors have reached a plea deal with a former Minneapolis Police Department officer charged with manslaughter and criminal vehicular homicide following a 2021 high speed chase.
39-year old Brian Cummings was chasing a suspected carjacker in north Minneapolis nearly two years ago when he crashed into the stopped vehicle of 40-year old Leneal Frazier, killing him. Cummings will be sentenced in June to probation and up to a year in jail after pleading guilty to criminal vehicular homicide.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarity says her thoughts are with the Frazier family and the reckless driving conduct admitted by Cummings is not representative of the many men and women in law enforcement who act and drive responsibly with respect for the safety of our community members.
“My thoughts are with Leneal Frazier’s family as they process this admission of guilt and this step toward accountability," said Moriarty. "The reckless driving conduct admitted today is not representative of the many men and women in law enforcement who act and drive responsibly with respect for the safety of our community members. We will have more to say after Mr. Frazier’s family has an opportunity to speak about the impact of their loss at sentencing.”
Frazier, who was not involved in the pursuit, was the uncle of Darnella Frazier, the teenager who shot the video of Derek Chauvin kneeling on the neck of George Floyd.
Cumings' trial was set for Monday, May 1.