Bryant

— We affirm the trial court’s determination that respondents are statutorily immune from liability in this police pursuit case.

Background

According to plaintiff Billy James Bryant’s brief on appeal, Michael Finney was owed $500 by a “friend.” Trying to collect, he kidnapped the friend, threatened to kill him, beat him severely, and left him in the desert. Finney then decided to ransom the friend for $500. He called the friend’s girlfriend and arranged the exchange. She called the sheriffs department, which staked out the drop-off location. After Finney dropped his friend off, respondent Deputy Upchurch followed Finney home. As Finney pulled into his driveway, Upchurch pulled in behind him. Finney spotted Upchurch and went around behind the house. Upchurch chased him, leaving the patrol car’s motor running.

Finney came all the way around the house and got into the patrol car. As Upchurch came into view, Finney accused Upchurch of incompetence and took off in the patrol car. Other deputies pursued. At an intersection, Finney collided with a car, which in turn collided with Bryant’s car, tragically leaving him a quadriplegic.

The trial court sustained a demurrer without…