Car accident involving Pennsylvania police officer claims a life

When a car crash occurs, the first official on the scene is often a police officer. However, there are times when the police officer is directly involved in the accident. A recent car accident in Pennsylvania involving an officer claimed the life of an unlucky motorist.

Authorities say that the crash happened when the police officer received a call for back up from another officer. In his rush to get to his destination, the officer was traveling at a high rate of speed when he collided with the back end of another vehicle. The vehicle that was struck ending up hitting a fire hydrant, a pole and an empty residence. Both the car and the home caught on fire upon the impact of the crash. The driver inside of the car was killed as a result of the accident.

The officer is going to be charged with vehicular homicide and involuntary manslaughter. There is no word on whether he has been or will be suspended from duty. The preliminary investigation that led to the charges is complete and the officer’s future remains uncertain.

A car accident is not an unusual occurrence on Pennsylvania roadways. The fact that this incident involved a police officer is what makes it a unique case. There is no word on whether the family of the motorist who died are planning to pursue a civil claim against the police officer accused in the crash. If they were to pursue such a claim, and it were successfully litigated, any financial compensation could be used for unpaid medical bills, funeral expenses and for the pain and suffering his family has endured. No matter the outcome of the criminal case, a civil claim may be used to bring peace of mind to the victim’s family by allowing them to know that justice has been done.

Source: lancasteronline.com, Central Pa. officer to be charged in fatal crash, No author, Jan. 27, 2014