Woman Sustains Serious Head Injures in Charlotte, North Carolina Car Crash with Police Vehicle
Kay Guillermina Floyd, a 43-year-old nurse, suffered serious head injuries on Monday when a police SUV that was speeding to the scene of foot chase struck her minivan. At the time, the police vehicle did not have its lights on or its siren activated.
The Charlotte, North Carolina auto accident occurred while Floyd reportedly had the right of way. The police SUV, which was going at a speed of about 45 mph in a 35 mph zone, struck Floyd’s vehicle on the driver’s side, and she was ejected from the auto. Charlotte-Mecklenburg officer and canine cop Cory Milbourn, who was driving the police vehicle that collided with the minivan, sustained minor injuries.
Under state law and per the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, police can drive faster than the speed limit if their sirens and lights are on. Police are trying to determine what happened and whether criminal charges should be filed against Milbourn.
As our Charlotte, North Carolina car accident law firm has reported in the past, NC traffic crashes involving state highway patrol troopers is a problem. Per state records, in 2009, officers were involved in seven car crashes a week. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 360 deaths a year occur in US vehicle collisions involving a police pursuit. 30% of those who die weren’t even involved in the actual pursuit and this figure doesn’t even factor in the number of deaths that occurred immediately after a chase.
There are rules that a police officer must follow when heading to a scene or engaged in a pursuit of any kind. Failure to abide by these rules or warn bystanders can cause catastrophic traffic crashes.
Woman hurt after police vehicle crashes into her minivan, Charlotte Observer, January 4, 2011
Police K-9 SUV did not have lights or siren on during wreck, KSLA News 12, January 4, 2011
State Highway Patrol Troopers Involved in Seven North Carolina Car Accidents a Week During 2009, North Carolina Car Accident Lawyer, May 19, 2010
Related Web Resources:
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
Chases by police yield high fatalities, USA Today, April 23, 2010
