Driver Charged in Mayor’s Crash, Officers Angered

You may remember the story that happened recently about the accident one of the mayor’s vehicles was involved in. The driver in that case has been charged, but some believe it has been done unfairly considering he was given permission by the city to do what he did.

The police sergeant in the case has been given four misdemeanor charges for his actions in the crash. He was transporting the mayor to a meeting with his lights and sirens on and got into an accident when the vehicle clipped another one on Paces Ferry. The mayor left the vehicle before the police could arrive and it was caught on video, but the mayor is not being charged as there is no evidence that he was the cause of the driver’s risky driving. Additionally, as a passenger, he is not required to stay and give a report to the police.

Yet an investigation in November by Channel 2 Action News showed the mayor’s security detail using emergency signals for non-emergencies at least 10 times over five weeks. Some officers believe the police sergeant is taking the fall for risky behavior on the part on the mayor. When the police chief was questioned, he said he permitted the use of lights and sirens in these cases due to unspecified threats against the mayor.

This is a very tricky situation pulling in questions about public safety, potential abuse of power, and the risks of following orders that are unlawful on paper but demanded by superiors. Yet for the injured driver in the crash, who is filing his own lawsuit, he is doing the right thing by going after the city for compensation. If there truly was no emergency or threat and the mayor was just late for a meeting, as has been alleged, the injured individual should get substantial compensation.

If you have been involved in a crash with the police or an official city vehicle, contact John Foy & Associates today for a consultation.