Police Involved in Pursuit With 17-Year-Old Girl in Plymouth Before Car Accident That Injured Dylan Rauch
PLYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS (September 22, 2026) – An 18-year-old man identified as Dylan Rauch was injured in a Plymouth car accident involving a stolen SUV.
Plymouth County officials are saying that the incident occurred around 11:50 AM near the intersection of Plymouth Road and Carver Road. A 17-year-old girl had reportedly taken her family’s SUV before briefly leading police on a chase.
That girl was subsequently involved in a head-on collision with another vehicle containing Dylan Rauch. Paramedics and firefighters were called to the scene of the accident to help all of the victims.
Dylan Rauch was extricated from the sedan before being airlifted to a trauma center in Boston. The 17-year-old driver of the SUV was reportedly taken to a hospital with minor injuries.
You can help support Dylan Rauch as he continues to recover through GoFundMe.
According to the online fundraiser, “As Dylan fights to recover, the family is facing significant medical care and expenses, along with the many unexpected costs that come with staying by his side during this journey. This fundraiser will help ease that financial burden so the family can focus on what matters most: being there for Dylan and supporting his recovery.”
Liability for Plymouth Police Pursuit Accidents
Every driver of a motor vehicle in Massachusetts has a legal obligation to use caution to avoid collisions with other vehicles. This necessitates that they maintain a safe speed at all times. Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 90, § 17 (M.G.L. c. 90, § 17), no person shall operate a motor vehicle at a speed greater than would be reasonable and proper given the prevailing road conditions. Several pieces of evidence become important to consider when evaluating who could be liable for any motor vehicle collision.
- Lane Position: It matters whether or not a driver may have crossed into opposing lanes of traffic before being involved in any collision.
- Speed: The speed of the vehicles is also important. Even if a vehicle was traveling the speed limit, this could still be construed as negligence if the road conditions were hazardous.
- Police: The actions of police officers leading up to any collision should be closely evaluated. This is particularly true when any collision is partly the outcome of a police chase.
- Vehicle Condition: The condition that any vehicle was in can also potentially impact who could be liable. Drivers are responsible for maintaining their vehicles in reasonably safe condition.
There is a presumption of negligence on the part of any driver that crosses into opposing lanes of traffic before colliding with another vehicle. Liability could also extend to several other parties beyond any specific driver held at fault. For example, the owner of a vehicle could be liable for a collision if they loaned their vehicle to a third party. A police department could also potentially be liable for a collision if they initiated or continued a pursuit that resulted in a collision that was reasonably foreseeable. This could include instances where police drivers pursue someone in dense urban areas.
Steps To Take After Plymouth Police Vehicle Accidents
Far too many people are seriously injured or killed every year in preventable accidents involving police pursuits. According to one study in JAMA Network, “ Between 2009 and 2023, there were 5425 fatal police pursuit-related crashes involving 8307 vehicles and 14 497 persons, resulting in 6352 deaths (mean [SD], 423 [84] deaths per year). Fatal crashes occurred most often in urban settings (3069 [57%]), at night (3794 [70%]), on noninterstate roads (4825 [89%]), and with documented speeding (4183 [77%]).” It is important that several actions are taken after any police pursuit.
- Dash Cam: The dash camera footage from the police officer involved should be reviewed.
- Communications: All communications involving the officers involved should also be considered.
- Department Policies: The police department guidelines and policy handbook related to police pursuit should be carefully reviewed.
- Medical Records: All of the medical records related to the victims’ injuries should be preserved.
- Consultation: Any person injured due to the negligent actions of a driver involved in a police pursuit should request an independent investigation by a team experienced in accident claims.
It can be difficult to know where to begin after any collision. Victims are routinely left with catastrophic injuries that impair their ability to work, go to school, or perform everyday tasks. Unfortunately, police departments and insurance providers are not likely to accept responsibility for any car accident. It is more likely that they will claim that the victim was at least partially responsible. Any person injured due to the negligent actions of another driver following a police pursuit may be able to seek a measure of accountability through a personal injury claim.
Investigating Plymouth Car Accidents
We at DiBella Law extend our best wishes to Dylan Rauch as he continues to recover. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. This was a preventable crash that should’ve never taken place. Many important safety questions need to be addressed. Did the police officers in this case violate department policies?
Have you or a loved one been injured in an accident following a police pursuit in Massachusetts? You may be entitled to significant financial compensation. Our team of experienced Boston personal injury attorneys is here to support you. We are committed to helping people get the medical and financial assistance that they need to recover and move forward with their lives. Whether you just have legal questions or need any other type of support, we are here to help you. You can reach out to us anytime at (617) 870-0907.
