A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit accusing Jackson County sheriffβs deputies of acting negligently during a high-speed pursuit that ended with the death of 15-year-old Jordan Jarrell in 2023.
U.S. District Judge Jonathan J.C. Grey of the Eastern District of Michigan dismissed the case with prejudice on Aug. 21, meaning the claims cannot be refiled.
The lawsuit had been filed in April 2025 by Powers and Jarrellβs estate against Jackson County and deputies Christopher Davis and Joseph Edwards.
Court records identify the case as Powers et al. v. Davis et al., No. 2:25-cv-11206.
Why the federal lawsuit was dismissed
The lawsuit alleged that the deputies violated Powersβ Fourth Amendment protections and were grossly negligent during the pursuit.
It also accused Jackson County of failing to adequately train its officers.
Grey concluded the claims did not establish that the deputiesβ actions were the legally required proximate cause of the injuries.
Michigan law uses a demanding standard for governmental employees, requiring gross negligence to be βthe proximate causeβ of an injury.
The judge also ruled there was no constitutional seizure during the pursuit because Powers did not stop in response to the deputiesβ lights and siren; he continued fleeing until the vehicle crashed.
That reasoning is consistent with the U.S. Supreme Courtβs rule that a show of police authority generally does not constitute a seizure unless the person submits or officers apply physical force.
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What happened during the 2023 police chase?
The pursuit began around 1:40 a.m. April 28, 2023, after authorities said Powers and four other teenagers had been shooting at vehicles with an Orbeez toy gun.
Deputies attempted a traffic stop, but the Jeep Wrangler accelerated north on Roberts Street.
The vehicle later rolled over near Roberts and East Ganson streets, ejecting two teenagers, before continuing and crashing again near the Jackson District Library. Jarrell was critically injured and later died.
What happens to Cayden Powers?
Powers was initially charged as an adult with second-degree murder. In August 2026, he pleaded no contest to felony reckless driving causing death, according to reporting cited by Hoodline from MLive.
His sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 30 before Jackson County Circuit Judge Susan Jordan.
Jarrellβs obituary described him as a 15-year-old who enjoyed football, basketball, outdoor activities and spending time with friends.
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Key facts
- Crash: April 28, 2023
- Location: Jackson County, Michigan
- Victim: Jordan Jarrell, 15
- Driver: Cayden Powers, 15 at the time
- Federal lawsuit filed: April 28, 2025
- Dismissal: Aug. 21, 2026
- Dismissal status: With prejudice
- Powersβ plea: Reckless driving causing death
- Sentencing: Sept. 30, 2026
FAQ
Why was the Jackson County police chase lawsuit dismissed?
The judge found the lawsuit did not establish the required causal connection between the deputiesβ conduct and the injuries and concluded there was no Fourth Amendment seizure during the pursuit.
Who was Jordan Jarrell?
Jarrell was a 15-year-old Jackson, Michigan-area teenager who died after being ejected during the 2023 Jeep crash.
What is the status of Powersβ criminal case?
Powers pleaded no contest to reckless driving causing death and is scheduled for sentencing Sept. 30.
