Whose at fault, Police or Civilian Crash?

**AJE** · 10-30-2007, 08:37 AM

Driver killed in crash with squad car in Stevens Point

STEVENS POINT, Wis. (AP) -- A driver died in a collision with a Portage County sheriff's car as a deputy responded to a call.

Police Chief Jeff Morris said the crash happened when the deputy went through a red light while heading for Plover to provide backup after a driver hit the wall of a building and fled on foot.

State investigators, police and rescue workers were all on the scene after the accident happened around 7 p.m. Monday at a Stevens Point intersection.

"All you could hear was just the biggest metal crash sound ever," said Ed Colson, 32, who witnessed the crash from his car. "He didnt brake at all."

Morris said the Wisconsin State Patrol was assisting in the investigation of the accident.

The victim was described as a woman in her teens.

The deputy and occupants of a third vehicle were taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries.

Names of those involved were not immediately released.

The Associated Press

**AJE** · 10-30-2007, 08:42 AM

Stevens Point Journal - Teen killed in crash with police vehicle

Continued Coverage from Point. Sad so sad, my sympathy is with the victims.

pk · 10-30-2007, 09:09 AM

This is so sad. I can't imagine what the parents are feeling. I know I kept thinking of my own daughter that is fast approaching driving age when looking at the picture here and wonder how I can keep her safe.

Kelly68 · 10-30-2007, 09:33 AM

News reports say that the cop was going fast enough through the intersection that upon impact pushed the girls car approx 100 feet down the road. That poor family.

**Mike** · 10-30-2007, 10:46 AM

Makes you wonder some times. How loud was the girl's music that she didn't hear the squad car?

**AJE** · 10-30-2007, 01:03 PM

Have to wonder if there will be a law suit in the works? Mike good point on the lights and sirens. Have to wonder just have to wonder what was her distractions.

pk · 10-30-2007, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Makes you wonder some times. How loud was the girl's music that she didn't hear the squad car?

Quote:

Have to wonder what was her distractions.

Quote:

News reports say that the cop was going fast enough through the intersection that upon impact pushed the girls car approx 100 feet down the road.

Seems as if this is to early to say what happened here. Did the girl have music on? Did the police turn the siren on to late before entering the intersection? Was the police going way to fast for the condition of the intersection? Was the girl simply a new driver and re-acted wrong? She had the green light, she may have been caught part way through with the flow of traffic and could not get out of the way? Talking on a cell phone?

For pushing the car as far as the police did this car shows there was a high speed here. Excessive? I wonder. I have yet not to see a police officer slow down in an intersection here in our city. I realize this police officer was in a hurry but perhaps slowing down to ensure everyone was out of the way may have helped here? Or was he part way through and she just took off when she saw the green light? So much has to be investigated.

But in the end it still leaves a teen dead and others hurt. Sad story.

kmfarm · 10-30-2007, 06:05 PM

A man fleeing on foot after an accident is not cause for a cop to race through a city. All you have to do is go to the scene and do a little investigation. You'll find the guy in the next day or two. It wasn't life or death.

Mark