View Full Version : Cop Crashes Into Car Killing 2 Teens
Fobio
11-20-2009, 12:02 PM
Police have released a videotape of a June police cruiser crash that killed two Connecticut teens. The officer was driving 94 miles per hour and was not on an emergency call. He's been charged with manslaughter. (Nov. 18)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DREC97JZSdo&feature=topvideos
Cardinal Fang
11-20-2009, 12:31 PM
Unbelievable.
Unoriginalusername
11-20-2009, 12:34 PM
didn't look like they were going 160kmph
Looks like the teens made an unsafe left turn... Cop had the right of way, even if he was breaking the sound barrier...
Go_Habs_Go
11-20-2009, 01:39 PM
what a trajedy... :-(
towelsnap
11-20-2009, 01:44 PM
what a trajedy... :-(
=+1
Broli
11-20-2009, 01:48 PM
glad the cop is paying for it with a manslaughter charge. he had no business doing that kind of speed without lights and sirens and a call.
jaimie08mazda3
11-20-2009, 02:50 PM
And two innocent kids that were turning pay the price for this cop's stupidity.. Make him the next crash test dummy in a side impact test of a Kia... just to know how it feels.
Thrizzl3
11-20-2009, 02:54 PM
only an idiot...
Flagrum_3
11-20-2009, 03:01 PM
And two innocent kids that were turning pay the price for this cop's stupidity.. Make him the next crash test dummy in a side impact test of a Kia... just to know how it feels.
What? ...It looks pretty obvious the 'Kid' turning was at fault!! It's called an Improper Turn! Remember when turning you are almost always deemed at fault, as you are impeding on oncoming traffic and it is your responsibility to make sure you can turn safely!!...The cop doesn't look like he was going at an incredibly fast speed, I don't hear any sound so I can't comment whether or not he had the sirens going, but that doesn't matter, the kid made the major mistake and it cost him his life.....I don't agree with the manslaughter charge.
_3
poke65
11-20-2009, 03:03 PM
Goes to prove that a badge doesnt make you god
chinsterr
11-20-2009, 05:46 PM
What? ...It looks pretty obvious the 'Kid' turning was at fault!! It's called an Improper Turn! Remember when turning you are almost always deemed at fault, as you are impeding on oncoming traffic and it is your responsibility to make sure you can turn safely!!...The cop doesn't look like he was going at an incredibly fast speed, I don't hear any sound so I can't comment whether or not he had the sirens going, but that doesn't matter, the kid made the major mistake and it cost him his life.....I don't agree with the manslaughter charge.
_3
you're kidding, right ?
I don't think the teens making the left turn were expecting the car to approach that quickly. Look at the cop car's suspension bounce as he approaches the intersection ..... car is clearly flying.
Flagrum_3
11-20-2009, 06:03 PM
you're kidding, right ?
I don't think the teens making the left turn were expecting the car to approach that quickly. Look at the cop car's suspension bounce as he approaches the intersection ..... car is clearly flying.
No not Kidding whatsoever!! Even watching the video I can see the kids headlights so there was absolutely no reason he couldn't see the cop approaching.He (the kid) made the fatal driving error of not judging the speed of the approaching vehicle(s)...it's an error done everyday by shitloads of incompetant drivers.Some get lucky and don't pay the price, unfortunately in this case they did.However you look at it, he made a turn in front of oncoming traffic, he should have been driving more defensive.
_3
Fobio
11-20-2009, 08:17 PM
No not Kidding whatsoever!! Even watching the video I can see the kids headlights so there was absolutely no reason he couldn't see the cop approaching.He (the kid) made the fatal driving error of not judging the speed of the approaching vehicle(s)...it's an error done everyday by shitloads of incompetant drivers.Some get lucky and don't pay the price, unfortunately in this case they did.However you look at it, he made a turn in front of oncoming traffic, he should have been driving more defensive.
_3
as much as I may agree with the both sides of the story approach, most incompetent drivers who make this mistake ends up with a bad insurance claim and maybe stitches...I have a personal friend who have suffered diminished mental capacity as a passenger getting t-boned...THEN the cops show up.
this is something entirely different...yes, the kids were wrong, but the cop, being the PROTECTOR of the public, is in MORE wrong...
Nextmod
11-20-2009, 08:27 PM
glad the cop is paying for it with a manslaughter charge. he had no business doing that kind of speed without lights and sirens and a call.
he will get out of that charge some how.
Looks like the teens made an unsafe left turn... Cop had the right of way, even if he was breaking the sound barrier...
What? ...It looks pretty obvious the 'Kid' turning was at fault!! It's called an Improper Turn! Remember when turning you are almost always deemed at fault, as you are impeding on oncoming traffic and it is your responsibility to make sure you can turn safely!!...The cop doesn't look like he was going at an incredibly fast speed, I don't hear any sound so I can't comment whether or not he had the sirens going, but that doesn't matter, the kid made the major mistake and it cost him his life.....I don't agree with the manslaughter charge.
_3
If the cop was not driving soo fast he could have stoped in time.....The cop is not an better then any of us...were not allowed to speed so they shouldn't
If you ask me the cop got off lightly by been charged with manslughter..considering he just took two lives IMO
Nextmod
11-20-2009, 08:29 PM
you're kidding, right ?
I don't think the teens making the left turn were expecting the car to approach that quickly. Look at the cop car's suspension bounce as he approaches the intersection ..... car is clearly flying.
its still their responsibility to make sure, but they probably cant even see him coming
I am not saying the cop is right going 96 Miles/Hour on probably a 40 zone
its still their responsibility to make sure, but they probably cant even see him coming
I am not saying the cop is right going 96 Miles/Hour on probably a 40 zone
If the cop was doing the speed limit then they would have had more then enough time to turn IMO
Broli
11-20-2009, 09:06 PM
he will get out of that charge some how.
sadly it is likely true
If the cop was doing the speed limit then they would have had more then enough time to turn IMO
+1
Unless I'm off my rocker, if you turn left and some dude nails you, EVEN IF he was going through a red light, it's still your fault. That isn't to say the other dude gets off ( I don't know what happens to them, I'm not a cop), but the victim who gets t-boned is the one who caused the accident by crossing the path of the other vehicle. You're supposed to use your judgment before turning. If you glance and see lights and figure "They're far enough..." and you get tboned because that car was going 160mph, your fault.
You should not just glance at lights. You should be AFRAID of getting tboned and look at cars more than 1 second. Try to get a sense of speed. Compare the closest car to another car. Compare the car to a pole...whatever... See how fast he's covering ground. Drive defensively. Assume some douche bag in a cop car could clip you the moment you turn left ;)
Now having said that, that's how the law tends to look at things. I know as well as the rest of you, that the cop shouldn't be flying and using poor judgment like that. He should be slowing down at intersections..... The cop was exercising poor judgment. But he wasn't the one who caused the accident...
Flagrum_3
11-21-2009, 07:02 AM
Exactly my point, what if it wasn't a cop but a transport truck whom just couldn't stop in time....The onus is on the driver turning (any turn) or whenever entering traffic to be sure the way is clear and safe and that means taking a second or two to judge the speed at which the traffic is approaching.
It's happened countless of times to me, waiting to turn at a light, the light turns yellow and some vehicle comes flying thru...but I wait, look and judge before I commit my turn.
I'll bet if that kid could speak from the grave, he'd tell you he wishes he took that extra couple of seconds!
It sort of dumbfounds me here, the reactions from people, what did they teach you guys in driver training? Pretty obvious not the right (safe) way to drive.....sorry but it just seems that way from responses.
_3
Unless I'm off my rocker, if you turn left and some dude nails you, EVEN IF he was going through a red light, it's still your fault. That isn't to say the other dude gets off ( I don't know what happens to them, I'm not a cop), but the victim who gets t-boned is the one who caused the accident by crossing the path of the other vehicle. You're supposed to use your judgment before turning. If you glance and see lights and figure "They're far enough..." and you get tboned because that car was going 160mph, your fault.
You should not just glance at lights. You should be AFRAID of getting tboned and look at cars more than 1 second. Try to get a sense of speed. Compare the closest car to another car. Compare the car to a pole...whatever... See how fast he's covering ground. Drive defensively. Assume some douche bag in a cop car could clip you the moment you turn left ;)
Now having said that, that's how the law tends to look at things. I know as well as the rest of you, that the cop shouldn't be flying and using poor judgment like that. He should be slowing down at intersections..... The cop was exercising poor judgment. But he wasn't the one who caused the accident...
Dave_The_BMXER
11-21-2009, 09:57 AM
Sadly yes the teen driver is legally at fault in this accident.
You guys also got to understand that if the cop was doing to speed limit then he could have stoped in time.
No one has the right to go those kinds of speeds in city streets...the kids that turned might have not expected that cop car to be going at that speed..going those kinds of speeds the car will not stop on a dime..but if the cop was going the spped limit he would have been able to stop IMO
Fobio
11-21-2009, 10:22 AM
traffic laws apply to everyone, from the kids to the cop...neither of them were doing what they're supposed to do...but really, tell either of them that, and I don't think neither would care who is AT FAULT...
you guys are way too quick to play judge and jury...
2 kids are dead and the cop is losing his career...whose fault it is matters none at this point to all parties involved...
crystal8484
11-21-2009, 11:03 AM
No not Kidding whatsoever!! Even watching the video I can see the kids headlights so there was absolutely no reason he couldn't see the cop approaching.He (the kid) made the fatal driving error of not judging the speed of the approaching vehicle(s)...it's an error done everyday by shitloads of incompetant drivers.Some get lucky and don't pay the price, unfortunately in this case they did.However you look at it, he made a turn in front of oncoming traffic, he should have been driving more defensive.
_3
Gonna say I have to agree with you on this one. And your original post...
Left turns are dangerous and should always be taken carefully. Speed was another factor in THIS particular instance, but what about those other accidents where people are doing the speed limit and this same thing happens. (i.e my dad was in one almost identical to this)
This idiot driver lost his life and his friends, although unfortunate shouldn't have turned when the cop care was practically in the damn intersection. Even if he was going the speed limit, when the kid turned the cop probably still would have hit him.. and if not his stupid ass would have been pulled over and given a pretty damn good earful.
Noisy Crow
11-21-2009, 12:21 PM
I don't think the turning car even slowed at all... it zips arcross the road pretty fast.
Nextmod
11-21-2009, 12:24 PM
sadly it is likely true
+1
ya they are going to make up something for sure
Flagrum_3
11-21-2009, 12:35 PM
You guys also got to understand that if the cop was doing to speed limit then he could have stoped in time.
No one has the right to go those kinds of speeds in city streets...the kids that turned might have not expected that cop car to be going at that speed..going those kinds of speeds the car will not stop on a dime..but if the cop was going the spped limit he would have been able to stop IMO
I'm sorry but that is a stupid argument.How do you know how fast the cop was going? Does anyone know how fast the car that was filming was going? from looking at the speed the metres are reading, I'd say pretty slow.BUT that's not the point here is it?.The point is; It doesn't matter what speed the cop was doing, what matters is that the kid turned in front of him...Which is a big mistake and i don't mean just from a law point of view but more importantly a safety/life point of view.
If anyone here wants to go ahead and turn infront of oncoming traffic hoping that they will be able to stop....go ahead it's your life, just hope it's not me in the oncoming car.
_3
stormin84
11-21-2009, 12:35 PM
didn't the cop go through a flashing yellow light, and a flashing yellow light you are to consider that a 4 way stop.
Flagrum_3
11-21-2009, 12:37 PM
didn't the cop go through a flashing yellow light, and a flashing yellow light you are to consider that a 4 way stop.
A flashing yellow is Not considered a four way stop.
_3
M3-ZOOM
11-21-2009, 01:08 PM
you guys do know that the cop is gettin paid leave right? I find that completely bs, how to you get paid leave when you are charged for man slaughter?:whoa
BoostieMonster
11-21-2009, 04:36 PM
i'm sorry but that is a stupid argument.how do you know how fast the cop was going? Does anyone know how fast the car that was filming was going? From looking at the speed the metres are reading, i'd say pretty slow.but that's not the point here is it?.the point is; it doesn't matter what speed the cop was doing, what matters is that the kid turned in front of him...which is a big mistake and i don't mean just from a law point of view but more importantly a safety/life point of view.
If anyone here wants to go ahead and turn infront of oncoming traffic hoping that they will be able to stop....go ahead it's your life, just hope it's not me in the oncoming car.
_3
+1,000,000
JMAK74
11-21-2009, 04:59 PM
If you ask me the cop got off lightly by been charged with manslughter..considering he just took two lives IMO
What should he have been charged with then?
Nextmod
11-21-2009, 07:27 PM
What should he have been charged with then?
double manslughter lol
I'm sorry but that is a stupid argument.How do you know how fast the cop was going? Does anyone know how fast the car that was filming was going? from looking at the speed the metres are reading, I'd say pretty slow.BUT that's not the point here is it?.The point is; It doesn't matter what speed the cop was doing, what matters is that the kid turned in front of him...Which is a big mistake and i don't mean just from a law point of view but more importantly a safety/life point of view.
If anyone here wants to go ahead and turn infront of oncoming traffic hoping that they will be able to stop....go ahead it's your life, just hope it's not me in the oncoming car.
_3
I know for a fact the cop was doing 94mph..
Here is the link to the story
http://news.aol.com/article/milford-connecticut-police-officer-jason/773587
No matter how how much you try to argue with about this issue is not going to make me change my mind that it was the cops fault!
double manslughter lol
he did get charged with duoble manslughter
JMAK74
11-21-2009, 08:38 PM
he did get charged with duoble manslughter
Do you feel he should have been punished with a harsher charge?
Do you feel he should have been punished with a harsher charge?
no double manslughter is enough..
Flagrum_3
11-21-2009, 10:47 PM
I know for a fact the cop was doing 94mph..
Here is the link to the story
http://news.aol.com/article/milford-connecticut-police-officer-jason/773587
No matter how how much you try to argue with about this issue is not going to make me change my mind that it was the cops fault!
Maybe I didn't make myself clear in my last post, I'm not arguing who was at fault, as it doesn't really matter much as 2 young lifes have been taken.The point is to educate that when turning be extra cautious, take the time and judge speed or even take a second look before commiting to a turn, otherwise you might end up like those 2 kids.
The cop might be getting charged in this case because of his speed but the now deceased driver made a fatal error, which I hope people can recognize here.
_3
Kappa
11-22-2009, 12:20 AM
all in all it sucks and its to bad that this happened anyone can point fingers.. but what about the family's.. for both sides... its going to mess up more than 3 lives here.. i hope they are doing ok..
giantbunnyhead
11-23-2009, 05:33 PM
Here is a link to the arrest warrant that gives more details of the incident (VIN = 2008 Mazda 3).
http://www.scribd.com/doc/22713350/Anderson-Warrant
giantbunnyhead
11-23-2009, 05:38 PM
... and another link to an arrest of the person who served alcohol to minors at a party that the two occupants of the Mazda 3 attended the night of the accident:
http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/new_haven_cty/news_wtnh_orange_second_arrest_made_in_teen_crash_ 200911111903_rev1
giantbunnyhead
11-23-2009, 05:42 PM
Why wasn't the second officer charged? I'm sure if it were two civies driving side by side at that speed at night, both would be charged?!
I'd be interested in finding out if the Mazda driver was actually impaired - as long as the investigation is on the up-and-up.
Interesting questions. Did they mention if the occupants were wearing seat belts or anything? Sucks that an older Crown Vic turned out fine but the occupants of the 2008 Mazda3 perished. Mostly due to the way it got hit, but still........
Ex-Rolla
11-23-2009, 06:45 PM
didn't the cop go through a flashing yellow light, and a flashing yellow light you are to consider that a 4 way stop.
No, it's proceed with caution
Nextmod
11-23-2009, 07:14 PM
... and another link to an arrest of the person who served alcohol to minors at a party that the two occupants of the Mazda 3 attended the night of the accident:
http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/new_haven_cty/news_wtnh_orange_second_arrest_made_in_teen_crash_ 200911111903_rev1
it makes more sense now. now I understand how they made that turn when the cop car was coming
Weather the teens where drinking or not the cop should have not been traveling at that rate of speed
I agree with Ron and Jerry on this one.
kevcol74
11-24-2009, 12:46 PM
That fast, the lights/cherries should have been on, no question. And, the fact it was at night makes it harder to judge the speed of an oncoming car. Was the kid at fault? I don't believe so. Under normal conditons, he would have had plenty of time to turn. I actually had 2 faults when I did my driver's test when i was 16. One of them, yielding the right of way when not necessary, as in I waited for a car before turning left when I had time. So don't give that "What did you learn in driver's ed" crap, you are to use your best judgment.
If I was the kid, i'd likely be dead too, you don't expect someone to be doing 2x the limit. How many times have you seen the police chase videos that end up with the chased car t-boning another turning in front of them.... You are taught to judge speed appropriate for the area you are driving in, not a formula1 race car coming down the street!
Very tragic indeed, and the cop has no excuse. You need to get somewhere fast, you have lights on your roof for a reason!!
STeeLy
11-24-2009, 02:08 PM
A flashing yellow is Not considered a four way stop.
This is correct. I cannot BELIEVE how many DO NOT understand that.
Flashing RED equals a stop sign
I was driving on Major Mack on a rainy day and it was Flashing Yellow and everyone stopped at the intersection... Goddamn
The Cop did not proceed with Caution in any circumstance, but again, the teenagers are at fault for not being able to judge the speed of the police car accordingly and made an unsafe left. It's sad, but cop should definitely get charged for excessive speeding and manslaughter for killing these 2.
Flagrum_3
11-24-2009, 03:57 PM
That fast, the lights/cherries should have been on, no question. And, the fact it was at night makes it harder to judge the speed of an oncoming car. Was the kid at fault? I don't believe so. Under normal conditons, he would have had plenty of time to turn. I actually had 2 faults when I did my driver's test when i was 16. One of them, yielding the right of way when not necessary, as in I waited for a car before turning left when I had time. So don't give that "What did you learn in driver's ed" crap, you are to use your best judgment. If I was the kid, i'd likely be dead too, you don't expect someone to be doing 2x the limit. How many times have you seen the police chase videos that end up with the chased car t-boning another turning in front of them.... You are taught to judge speed appropriate for the area you are driving in, not a formula1 race car coming down the street!
Very tragic indeed, and the cop has no excuse. You need to get somewhere fast, you have lights on your roof for a reason!!
First whomever gave you your driving test should have been slapped for not teaching properly and following common sense! or more precise; not taking the time to explain to you properly.
Expect!! Yes you have to expect anything and everything when driving, especially when turning, that is what defensive driving is all about! Expect that asshat to speed-up thru the intersection ignoring the yellow or even red light! Expect that there may be another car coming behind the car you see in the forefront, going at an excessive speed etc; etc;....I can go on for hours here.It's all about judgement and judgement takes time, just take that extra second or two and your mind will calculate the speed of an oncoming object....even at night.
_3
Nextmod
11-24-2009, 04:00 PM
Weather the teens where drinking or not the cop should have not been traveling at that rate of speed
of course not, I am just saying they would have lived if they didnt drink and drive probably.
we can blame the cop all we want.....
kevcol74
11-24-2009, 04:31 PM
First whomever gave you your driving test should have been slapped for not teaching properly and following common sense! or more precise; not taking the time to explain to you properly.
Expect!! Yes you have to expect anything and everything when driving, especially when turning, that is what defensive driving is all about! Expect that asshat to speed-up thru the intersection ignoring the yellow or even red light! Expect that there may be another car coming behind the car you see in the forefront, going at an excessive speed etc; etc;....I can go on for hours here.It's all about judgement and judgement takes time, just take that extra second or two and your mind will calculate the speed of an oncoming object....even at night.
_3
Do you drive a 3 or a Volvo? I'm a defensive driver, very much so... but, its much harder for ANYONE to judge a cars speed at night by headlights. COPS know this, so I fail to see how you can fault the turning car. The cop car got to the kid twice as fast as the kid expected.... do the math, or use common sense when looking at the video. The kid got t-boned half way , dead center basically... had the cop been going half the speed, the kid had a fulll car length. Factor in acceleration on the kids part, he would have been fine had the cop not been speeding. (this WILL require calculus, I can give you formulas if you like)
Kid loses his life, yet some people have the nerve to judge him to be at fault, when common sense and judgement tell you he would have been fine had the cop been travelling at the proper speed OR had the cherries going.
Maybe we just all can't be as good/safe a driver as you. :gone
Do you drive a 3 or a Volvo? I'm a defensive driver, very much so... but, its much harder for ANYONE to judge a cars speed at night by headlights. COPS know this, so I fail to see how you can fault the turning car. The cop car got to the kid twice as fast as the kid expected.... do the math, or use common sense when looking at the video. The kid got t-boned half way , dead center basically... had the cop been going half the speed, the kid had a fulll car length. Factor in acceleration on the kids part, he would have been fine had the cop not been speeding. (this WILL require calculus, I can give you formulas if you like)
Kid loses his life, yet some people have the nerve to judge him to be at fault, when common sense and judgement tell you he would have been fine had the cop been travelling at the proper speed OR had the cherries going.
Maybe we just all can't be as good/safe a driver as you. :gone
Well said:winner
Flagrum_3
11-24-2009, 05:22 PM
Do you drive a 3 or a Volvo? I'm a defensive driver, very much so... but, its much harder for ANYONE to judge a cars speed at night by headlights. COPS know this, so I fail to see how you can fault the turning car. The cop car got to the kid twice as fast as the kid expected.... do the math, or use common sense when looking at the video. The kid got t-boned half way , dead center basically... had the cop been going half the speed, the kid had a fulll car length. Factor in acceleration on the kids part, he would have been fine had the cop not been speeding. (this WILL require calculus, I can give you formulas if you like)
Kid loses his life, yet some people have the nerve to judge him to be at fault, when common sense and judgement tell you he would have been fine had the cop been travelling at the proper speed OR had the cherries going. Maybe we just all can't be as good/safe a driver as you. :gone
I drive a 3, and very well thank-you.I also do 70-80% of my driving at night never had a problem, common sense since at night judgement is low take the extra time to judge...and...
Common sense tells me otherwise! ....and maybe you can't :)
_3
Fuman
11-24-2009, 06:03 PM
The driver of the Mazda can also be distracted, busy talking to the passenger, and didn't pay enough attention to judge the police's speed. There is no argument that they Police shouldn't have been speeding at such speeds without a reason. However, the driver of the Mazda also had contributed, or lack of, to this 'accident'.
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