The South Bend police chief is recommending the firing of an officer who was involved in a crash that killed a 22-year-old woman.

The crash happened in the early-morning hours of July 20 and resulted in the death of Erica Flores.

The crash involved Patrolman First Class Justin Gorny. Initial reports were that the police vehicle had activated emergency lights.

On the Board of Public Safety agenda for Sept. 19, item D3 reads: "ACCEPT CHIEF’S FILING OF DISCIPLINARY CHARGES NO. 2018-01 AND LETTER REQUESTING TERMINATION OF JUSTIN GORNY, PER I.C. 36-8-3-4"

Chief Scott Ruszkowski confirmed the recommendation late Friday morning. The agenda indicates Gorny is appealing the chief's recommendation.

Part of the appeals process requires public safety board members to hold a hearing. That date will be set at the next Board of Public Safety meeting that is happening September 19th inside the South Bend Police Department auditorium. It starts at 9:15 a.m.

The public appeals hearing is estimated to be in at least a month from now. At the hearing, both sides can present their case, and witnesses are allowed to be called (e.g. witnesses to the accident and/or expert witnesses, such as a city engineer). The five-member public safety board will take a majority vote to decide if the officer should be terminated, suspended, or no action should be taken. No officer on the police department sits on the public safety board.

On Friday, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg released the following statement:

“The Chief of Police has moved for the termination of Officer Gorny, and the Officer has requested a hearing. Now the case goes before the Board of Public Safety, which is composed of five civilian members from South Bend. The Board is entrusted to listen to all sides of discipline cases brought before them and make decisions based on the evidence presented. They know the importance of handling this case, and every case, with thoroughness, fairness, and integrity.”

In August, a grand jury decided that Gorny shouldn't be charged with reckless homicide for the crash.

The St. Joseph County Fatal Alcohol Crash Team had been investigating the crash for approximately two weeks, and the decision to request the grand jury was based on that investigation, according to a release issued on Aug. 3.

It was expected that the grand jury would hear from witnesses and review evidence. Among the reported evidence was the police department's standard operating procedures; audio logs of radio traffic; video leading up to the crash; video of the collision itself; data from the two vehicles; and any other evidence the grand jury requested from FACT.

On September 17, a protest is planned outside the County-City Build to challenge the training policies and driving safety procedures of the South Bend Police Department.