Debra P. Johnson
Name: Debra P. Johnson
Age: 46
Gender: Female
Race: Race unspecified
Date: 09/23/2006
Location: State Highway U
Whitewater, Missouri, 63785
County: Cape Girardeau
Agency: Chaffee Police Department
Cause of Death: Vehicle
Intended Use of Force: Vehic/Purs
Media summary: Driver Garrett Williams and passenger Debra P. Johnson were killed when their car went off the road while being chased by officer Jim Backfisch. Backfisch had begun pursuing Williams' 1995 Oldsmobile after he'd reportedly run a stop sign at the intersection of Highway 77 and Yoakum Street. The chase continued on gravel roads and rural highways for about 28 miles, reaching speeds in excess of 100 mph before the Oldsmobile overturned on Route U. Both Johnson and Williams died at the scene of the 11:40 p.m. crash. Two other passengers sustained serious injuries. Backfisch was cleared of wrongdoing in the crash. He resigned in February 2007.
Unique ID: 5501
News article: Link
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