Sunday, July 12, 2009
A St. Joseph police car was damaged after being hit Saturday evening at the intersection of St. Joseph and Fifth avenues.
St. Joseph Police Sgt. Becky Caton said the cruiser, driven by Officer Aaron King, was southbound on St. Joseph Avenue when it was struck by a Dodge Ram van while attempting to turn around.
"There was a call out on a suspect with a gun," she said. "The officer saw a person that matched the description and was going to follow him."
The vehicle was struck on its passenger side. Ms. Caton said the officer had his cruiser lights on at the time of the accident.
Besides some bruising on Mr. King's arm, no other injuries were sustained. Both vehicles were able to be driven from the scene.
No names were released or citations issued as the incident is under investigation, Ms. Caton said.
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rk92559 says...
In other words...he whipped around in a turn in front of someone and got hit. But because he had his lights on he is not at fault. Obviously the van driver wasn't speeding or drunk or they would have already nailed him.
July 12, 2009 at 12:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blondeyes says...
You're suppose to pull over when lights are on for cops, firetruck and ambulance. So obviously the truck didn't pull over.
July 12, 2009 at 1:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Swoflea says...
the cops drive way to fast I have filmed them flying down 6th street,do 70 mph
July 12, 2009 at 6:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
heckler91 says...
Now wait a minute. "The officer saw a person that matched the description and was going to follow him" So he already had his lights on before he saw this person? Sounds to me like he flipped his lights on and turned, not giving the driver of the van time to react. Or, he never had his lights on at all.
July 12, 2009 at 7:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Boz44 says...
Typical St.Joe people attaking someone. I don't know what happened in this case but I see several wrecks a day in this town, accidents happen, give the officer a break he was just trying to do his job.
July 12, 2009 at 7:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
guarded says...
People want to complain about officers going too fast but if you were the victim on the other end of that gun you would not be complaining on how fast the police officer responded. Quit being a hypocrit and let them do their jobs.
July 12, 2009 at 9:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
thenfixit says...
Give the officer a break and the driver of the van one to. Sounds like just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
July 12, 2009 at 10:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
People are suppost to pull over to the right as far as possible and give emergency vehicles the right away.Did the person hit have time to get out of the way he would be the only one and people who saw the accident would know, but if I had some emergency and needed the police,fire, or ambulance I would hope everybody would yeild for them as well as if anybody needed them.Ticket the people who do not adhere to this law and make the ticket high enough that they will remember the law and yield the next time.
July 12, 2009 at 10:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bentbailey says...
he wasn't given a ticket for failure to yield to an emergency vehichle,clearly the cop was in the wrong
July 12, 2009 at 11:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grampatj says...
I have followed many cops and watched them make illegal lane changes, improper turns and they are always talking on their cell phones. Why don't they get tickets for poor driving techniques.
July 12, 2009 at 11:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
attaboy says...
Cop trying to do his job, that is good, an accident happened, that is not good, no one was seriously hurt, that is good. The highway patrol or the police will review tings we will know in a few weeks. Better to get it correct the first time than rush to judgment.
July 12, 2009 at 11:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grampatj says...
Just because a cop flips on his lights, does not take the responsibility away from him watch what he is doing. I suspect that as he flipped on his lights, he cranked the wheel to execute a u-turn and was most likely trying to read his computer screen on the call and talking on either his cell phone or his radio.
Then some one side swipes him and the other driver has to pay a deductible for the accident.
July 12, 2009 at 11:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
janice says...
How can you pull over when the SJPD pulls a u-turn right in front of you? How are you supposed to react in time to do this? I say the SJPD should pay for the Van's damages & inconvenience to the driver,who was clearly not at fault.
July 12, 2009 at 11:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Boz44 says...
Janice, I guess you saw the accident?
July 12, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
go4it50 says...
If the article is correct (and whose to say it is?); let's read the details as described. The cruiser was southbound. Does it say what direction the van was going? The cruiser saw a vehicle or a suspect earlier described with a gun? The article doesn't say if the party(ies) were in a vehicle or walking.
He flips on his lights to make a u-turn, did he also signal his intention? It doesn't say.
If I read it right, the "van" was hit in the passenger side. (it could not have been the cruisers as it would be the drivers side exposed to a following vehicle while a u-turn was being executed.) Again, the article wasn't clear.
Now to the next question, what section of the van's passenger side was hit? (by the cruiser) the right front, the right center or the right rear quarter? The article, again, wasn't clear to this.
A U-turn usually has the driver move to the right before turning left to complete a left u-turn. (assuming it was). If so, how in the world could any vehicle pull to the right?
I think grandpatj has my same thoughts. And I have also been passed on Frederick (35mph zone) by police cruisers apparently NOT on an emergency call. And I would also be glad to let a traffic officer stand inside my garage and watch how many cruisers DO NOT come to a complete stop at stop signs. (for which I received a ticket for many years ago)
To me, the officer carried the greatest duty by not making sure the coast was clear to make his (illegal) u-turn on a city street.
But all in all, the article itself did not give enough actual 'facts' for any reader to come to an absolute conclusion.
July 12, 2009 at 12:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
go4it50 says...
I also need to add, another thought. I'm thankful the other party was in a vehicle and not using a bicycle or motorcycle.
July 12, 2009 at 1:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
darkhorse says...
Amazing how many people are quick to judge either party in this accident based on the reported facts. Unless you were there (and if you were you should have identified yourself as a witness), or you investigated the crash, then you should not pass judgement.
As for those making comments about officers "rolling through" stop signs etc. You have around 9 officers on patrol at any one time trying to get across town in a city that has the same square mileage as San Francisco CA on calls that don't always justify a lights and siren response. Take to long to get there people complain. Drive too fast etc and people complain... (???)
July 12, 2009 at 2:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Mookie625 says...
I live on st joe ave and go to rogers all the time. i hate that intersection just because of the way the lights are set up there. they need turn lights for the cross streets. the way i see it and its just my opinon is the officer was making the turn by the gas station or the dirt shack and the van was coming from that street across from the dirt shack and had the green light to go through to 5th or make a turn onto st joe ave. The officers i have seen that do u-turns at intersections usually throw on thier lights. wait for traffic to stop or pull over and then make the turn. i know i know in an emergency those seconds to someone that is needing help feels like hours. but the officer can't help you if he gets in a wreck trying to get there. and you are right turning on the lights just alerts the people you are after them. if I was the officer i would have turned left onto 5th and cut through the dirt shack driveway but again this is just me and i know i am going to get blasted for saying all this.
July 12, 2009 at 2:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
matty73 says...
I feel fortunate that our police force is fair minded and reasonable.Ive been given a more than fair shake on a few occassion when i made a mistake.Cops are humans,and we all make mistakes.It wasnt like a gang of them beating down someone,or planting evidence,it was just a simple traffic incident.
July 12, 2009 at 2:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
denny says...
I know this article mentions the police cruiser lights being ON at the time. Those lights came on maybe ONE SECOND or LESS before he turned!!!!! I WAS driving that van. I wasn't speeding. I had my belt on. I wasn't intoxicated in any way. The officer passed me on the right, and almost immediately turned a left 180 AS he was turning on his lights. This gave me NO TIME to react other than hitting my brakes, and my van T-boned the left side of his car. When we came to rest, I was looking down at him through my windshield and he was looking up at me through his window, and he mouthed the words, "Are you ok?" and then said, "Don't worry, THIS IS MY FAULT"..... So all you folks that WERE NOT there, let's stop speculating, ok? They CLEARLY were at fault, I have names and numbers of eye-witnesses, and the police didn't even feel the need to TAKE MY STATEMENT, as it was clear who was at fault. I expect the City of St. Joseph to repair my van. That's all I want out of this. I'd have an opportunity to stick it to the man pretty good on this, but all I really want to do is to just get my vehicle repaired, at their expense, and go about my business. Thanks for reading.
July 12, 2009 at 2:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
denny says...
I'd also like to point out that if I had been riding a motorcycle, this accident would have possibly killed me. Also, somebody mentioned dashboard video. As the police are "investigating" this accident, I'm confident that the video will show our speed, and it will also show that he passed me on the right and attempted a left U turn in front of my vehicle, and the video will show that I had zero time to react. Thanks again.
July 12, 2009 at 3:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Leonie says...
Denny, I hope you do get your van fixed at the city's expense. As a citizen, my vote is with you. I am shocked and amazed that the officer said what he did to you and I bet he gets into trouble for opening his mouth. I don't know anything about the police chief but as a member of a city employee family, I do know that the people that run the city treat the employees like trash under their feet. Good luck to you too, Mr. Officer.
July 12, 2009 at 3:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
noneya says...
denny, thankfully you are alive and not hurt...I sure hope that you get what is rightfully fair and due to you and your vehicle fixed...Luckily for the city your a man of integrity and not going after them for more..As far as the incident goes, yes accidents do happen and that is why they are called accident, but I for one have saw officers abuse authority and use lights just to go through red stop lights, to get by people faster etc..I have seen it myself, so people it does happen and you never know when they are REALLY on a call or just abusing their power..
July 12, 2009 at 4:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rk92559 says...
Just my point when I made the first post. You don't make a snap uturn in front of someone and get hit then start with the...his lights were on and no citations..and "it is under investigation". If it is an officer protecting the public and someone doesn't yield to his lights or is drunk and hits him..hang them. But if it is the cops fault, say so. Don't muddle through it in a month or so to make it disappear. The police are responsible for their driving just as we are, and rarely get called on it. I have had sheriffs SUVs pass me on 59 hwy doing well over 80 with no lights on, but who gives them a ticket?
July 12, 2009 at 9:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Jbaldy45 says...
I have made this posting before concerning the SJPD everytime an article comes out. Any of you pro or con should should get off your behinds go down and fill out the paperwork and ride along with an officer for a shift.
After spending an evening or night with an officer to see what and who they deal with for a day, some of you may or may not change your minds.
It's really easy to set at home read an article and pass judgement on someone when you weren't there, but yet make judgements based on what you read. Please feel free to respond I love to debate.....................
July 13, 2009 at 12:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Meowzer says...
Its interesting to me that the driver involved would post on this since the accident is still under investigation.. I hope everything he said on here matches up to what he said in the statement I assume he gave, otherwise he could have just ruined his chances of compensation. I wouldn't think it would be smart to comment on an investigation until it is a little more "investigated."
Accidents happen. Say the van whipped a U turn (which I often see CITIZENS of St. Joe do) and the police car hit him. Betcha it would be all turned around to the officer again because people like to criticize officers. Give him a break.
July 13, 2009 at 4:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
Funny....I find some discrepancies in what denny wrote. Doesn't really match up with the report....and doesn't even match what denny says LATER in his own post.
Maybe I misunderstood what was written, or maybe denny wrote it wrong, but there are problems with that statement he made.
Look folks, try keeping law and order in this ENTIRE TOWN, north to south, east to west, and do it with only 9 officers on a shift. Before you criticize a cop, either walk a mile in his shoes, or shut up. They have a VERY tough job, and get little or no thanks for it.
July 13, 2009 at 5:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
StJoeMoe says...
I think it is called "an accident" -
I've had them before.
It will all work out OK.
July 13, 2009 at 7:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
denny says...
Yes, it will all work out ok. Unfortunately, a summer of camping and fishing with my child ended when this policeman whipped his car in front of me without looking in his rear view mirror. My kid's summer vacation will be over by the time my van is repaired, sadly.
For those of you that believe the "investigation" will show that I was somehow at fault, I'd like to point out that the investigation is over now. The city is working with me just fine and they seem just as anxious as I am to get my vehicle repaired. After his suspension is over, Aaron King will be in a new cruiser, but possibly weeks later I'll still be dealing with insurance companies and body shops.
This will be, without a doubt, the LAST time I'll ever go to a city park in St. Joe to look at buffalo!
July 13, 2009 at 11:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
Denny,
I never said I was attempting to shift the blame to you. I only indicated there were some inconsistancies in your post. However, I CAN say those could have been me misreading your post, or you miswriting it. Not sure which. I'm glad you weren't hurt, most of all, but also glad the city is taking care of you. That's doubly good!!
July 13, 2009 at 12:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
darkhorse says...
Fortunately everyone is OK. Unfortunately for any officer who was at fault in an accident, they get a harsher punishment than the average citizen. Not only do they possibly get a suspension (no pay) but they get a traffic ticket as well.
July 13, 2009 at 12:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stjoebarb says...
Do you believe that there are over 30 comments about this story? As stated above - accidents do happen. Police officers are human. Thankfully no major injuries. Peace.
July 13, 2009 at 2:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
clbmomma says...
I agree with everyone that said accidents do happen and cop are people just like all of us. I've been in a few myself. I personally know the officer and he is the kind of person that wont lie to cover his mistakes. People would stop trying to blame someone and be glad that no one was seriously hurt or killed.
July 13, 2009 at 7:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
StJoeMoe says...
Good time for some cheese and crackers.......
July 13, 2009 at 10:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
denny says...
I'm buying!!! But I'll need a ride.
July 13, 2009 at 10:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Jbaldy45 says...
To Swoflea,
I don't believe you have filmed anyone from the Police Department as you say flying down 6th St. going 70 mph.
How do you know they were going 70 did you have your radar gun mounted on top of your video camera or is it just a really poor guess on your part??
Another possibility would be you have no idea what you are talking about and just stirring the pot with uneducated posts like yours above...............
July 14, 2009 at 12:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
denny says...
UPDATE TO THOSE SYMPATHETIC TO MY CAUSE: The insurance company that represents the City of St. Joseph totaled my vehicle.
Before this accident, which was the fault of this policeman, my 1991 Dodge High Top Conversion RV van, that was in absolutely perfect shape with a new paint job wasn't worth beans, according to MOPERM. Thank you very much! I'll pay to have it repaired.
You folks watch out for those policemen who have been on the force for less than a year! They drive like teens, and like teens, they get away with it! (Hand slapped, probably paid time off, new car & back on your roads, running into stuff..)
Me? I'm screwed. Could I sue the city? Get real. Bye now.
July 17, 2009 at 2:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )