New bodycam video shows officer's actions after crash that killed 6-year-old in Coral Springs

The parents of 6-year-old Harlow Tran say a Coral Springs police officer initiated a “dangerous” chase that led to the May 5, 2024, crash that killed their daughter.

The city denies there was a pursuit. But NBC6 Investigates found federal data lists “police pursuit” as a factor in the crash, raising questions about what happened before the collision.

And for the first time, we are seeing the aftermath of the crash from the perspective of Officer John Daddino.

His body-worn camera video, obtained by NBC6 Investigates, provides a closer look at his actions, which are now under scrutiny as Harlow’s parents pursue a lawsuit against the city.

Officer Daddino’s Body Camera Video Released

Officer Daddino’s body camera video begins at 5:06 p.m., nearly a minute after the crash.

The video shows Daddino briefly stepping out of his patrol car at the intersection where the crash occurred before driving to where a Mercedes had come to a stop.

The suspected driver of that Mercedes, Chevon Graham, is on the ground. One passenger is near him, while another remains trapped inside the car.

But some bystanders are focused elsewhere.

“There’s a baby! It’s a baby down there!” a bystander can be heard shouting.

“Stand by. Stand by,” Daddino responds.

A short distance away, Harlow was still strapped into her car seat after being thrown from an SUV driven by her great-grandmother.

Surveillance video shows the speeding Mercedes moments before it slams into the SUV, ripping it in half.

As people shout about Harlow, the video shows Daddino putting on gloves and radioing twice.

“91, put a rush on the vehicles (inaudible) hear there’s a baby in another car,” Daddino says over the radio.

“There’s a baby, there is a baby!” witness Manuel Sayago can be heard saying.

“Ok, I know, they’re coming, they’re coming,” Daddino responds.

Daddino does not handcuff the men. Another officer does so a short time later.

“Stay down sir. Stay down,” Daddino tells one of them.

At 5:08 p.m., roughly three minutes after the crash, Daddino heads back toward the intersection.

“Hold on, where’s the baby? Where’s the baby? Where’s the baby?” Daddino asks.

“Right there. Over here! Over there, please!” people respond.

Daddino then reaches a group gathered around Harlow, radios again and begins rescue efforts. Other officers and fire-rescue personnel arrive soon afterward.

Harlow’s parents question officer’s response

Harlow’s mother, Samari Curbelo, questions why Daddino did not go to her daughter sooner.

“I could care less about what’s happening there. At that moment, that was the most important. That takes precedence,” Curbelo said.

Daddino wrote in his report that he “was not aware” anyone from the SUV was injured when he first arrived at the scene.

Harlow was airlifted and pronounced dead at the hospital.

“She was smart, and she had a really big personality,” her mother said in an emotional interview that first aired in July.

“She wanted to be the princess and the knight,” her father added.

Chase or no chase?

Harlow’s parents are suing the city of Coral Springs over the death of their only child.

They allege Daddino violated department policy and initiated a “dangerous” pursuit over a minor traffic violation involving dark window tint, prompting the Mercedes to flee and ultimately crash.

In a court filing, the city says, “no pursuit was initiated” and that Daddino turned off his lights and siren, complying with department policy.

But federal crash data seems to contradict that.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data lists “police pursuit” as a factor in the crash. An NHTSA’s spokesperson explained the data is submitted by a state analyst.

A Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles spokesperson tells NBC6 Investigates: “The FARS analyst follow’s NHTSA’s policy and training when making a determination, which is solely based off the crash report.”

The city of Coral Springs and the police department declined to comment, citing the ongoing litigation.

At the scene, Daddino told a sergeant: “I turned my lights off way back there (inaudible).” “Ok,” the sergeant responded.

What Surveillance Video Shows

Surveillance video obtained by NBC6 Investigates shows Daddino following the Mercedes. His emergency lights initially appeared to be on.

In his report, Daddino wrote the Mercedes accelerated and he slowed down, “almost nearing a complete stop.”

But the video does not show Daddino stopping. Instead, his patrol car continues west behind the Mercedes, with the officer’s emergency lights then appearing to be off.

The impact can then be heard. Seconds later, Daddino’s patrol car pulls up.

Data from the Mercedes shows it was traveling 107 mph just seconds before the crash. An internal police review, called a Fleeing Vehicle Critique, lists Daddino’s speed at 45 mph. It is unclear at what point during the incident the officer’s speed is reflected, who made the determination, and based on what evidence.

Attorneys for the city deny wrongdoing and maintain Daddino, who is not a defendant in the lawsuit, did not act recklessly.

Through his union, Daddino declined to comment.

Chevon Graham, the man accused of causing the deadly crash, remains in jail awaiting trial. He has pleaded not guilty to multiple felony charges. We reached out to his attorney but have not heard back.