When police officers put on their lights and sirens, other motorists are expected to yield the right of way and to basically steer clear of them. This is not always possible, however, as police cruisers can hit speeds of 100 mph on city streets when it’s necessary to get to a potential crime scene. Accidents in this context do occur, and there are times when the results are deadly.
This is particularly true when these pursuits occur late at night and in large cities, as the chances of crossing paths with a driver who may have had too much to drink only increase, thereby heightening the danger involved. Tragically, that appears to have been the case on Wednesday night in Las Vegas, according to a report filed by KVBC:
“According to Metro, he and another officer in a separate patrol car were driving to a domestic violence call about 12:45 am. They were both rolling code, which means they were using lights and sirens. Manor was in the lead; the other officer watched as a red truck pulled directly into Manor’s path.“Two minutes after they were en route, the second officer was on the radio calling in the crash,” says Sheriff Doug Gillespie. “This shows how quickly tragedy can strike. Many times going to the call is just as dangerous getting to the call.”
The man police say caused the accident is 45-year-old Calvin Darling. He was arrested on charges of felony DUI with death and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle.”
Although the suspect is clearly facing enormous criminal prosecution problems, that does not mean that he would not still potentially be liable in civil court for wrongful death. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a DUI accident, contact the attorneys at the Phillips National Injury Group today to schedule a free initial consultation.
Fri, May 8, 2009
DUI Accidents