The family of a man killed when a "wannabe" police officer crashed into his car during a high-speed chase is seeking $250 million in damages from the city of Dearborn, Mich.

The wrongful death suit accuses traffic ordinance officer Agron Seiko, 23, of participating in a car chase without permission — and without proper training.

Seiko killed 35-year-old William Vesper Owen IV when he blew through a red light and slammed into Owen's car.

The trial is expected to begin Tuesday at Wayne County Circuit Court in Detroit.

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According to the suit, Seiko heard about a police chase on Feb. 17, 2003, and wanted to get in on the action — even though he had no training in high-speed pursuits.

Seiko was parked alongside Dearborn police officer William McAvoy, who went to help another officer in pursuit of a stolen sport utility vehicle, according to police reports.

Seiko followed, speeding 60 mph in a 45 mph zone, the plaintiff's lawyers said. He allegedly ran a stop sign and then a red light.

He crashed into Owen, who was leaving his job at the Ford Motor Company, where he had worked for eight years.

Owen died later in a hospital. Seiko suffered head injuries.

Seiko's main duties were to write tickets and enforce traffic. He was neither authorized nor trained to assist in police chases, said attorney Paul Broschay, who, along with Geoffrey Fieger, filed the suit on behalf of Owen's mother, Maureen Coe.

Seiko was initially charged with manslaughter.

"I screwed up," he told police, according to Wayne County Prosecutor Michael Duggan.

He was suspended without pay after the accident.

In May 2003, Seiko pleaded guilty to the criminal charge and was sentenced to two years of probation. He faced up to 15 years in jail if convicted by a jury.

"It's a test of how people value life," plaintiff jury consultant Stephen Hnat said. "He was a linchpin family member. What's the value of a human being, a son or a brother?"

"Seiko has no explanation for participating in the chase," Hnat said. "He wanted to help, I guess."

The suit also blamed the city of Dearborn for giving Seiko a car that was outfitted for police officers.

"For some reason, the city gave him a car that a sworn police officer would have, except it had the words 'ordinance enforcement' on it. It was fitted with a radio and a siren," Broschay said.

"The city of Dearborn does not comment on pending litigation when a trial date is imminent," said C.F. Boyle, an attorney representing the city.

When Seiko's criminal case finished, he had planned to pursue a career in law enforcement, according to the Press & Guide newspaper.

The trial is expected to last two days.