By Max Reinhart, MediaNews Group

Chases with suspects eluding police have surged in recent years and put innocent people at risk, one county prosecutor and officials with at least three law enforcement agencies said, though pursuits still play an important role in arresting suspected criminals.

Since May alone, at least three people have died in Metro Detroit after they or their cars were struck in the midst of a police pursuit. Alex Habib, a Madison Heights father of two, was in his car when he was struck in July by a 16-year-old Detroiter fleeing police who ran a red light. Habib later died from his injuries.

Two state lawmakers have introduced legislation that would impose stricter penalties on those who lead police on chases, though critics have argued that those sentencing decision

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