Police Officer Killed By Truck Driver

[Braindead6]

I'm not a person that usually has a lot to say about traffic accidents. Whether it's minor or not. But after hearing about a Metro Davidson County police officr being killed I have a lot to get off my chest.
This is what was said:
Metro Police Chief Ronal Serpas said that Nashville should never forget Officer Christy Dedman. The officer was killed Monday night after she was rear-ended by a semi-truck while helping a motorist.

The wreck occured around 7 pm on 1-40 at Stewart's Ferry Pike. Metro Police spokesman Don Aaron said that Officer Dedman had parked her marked police car behind a GMC Yukon with a flat tire to assist a stranded female motorist. As the officer and the motorist were outside of the police car on the shoulder of the interstate, the police car was struck by the tractor trailer.

Dedman was later pronounced dead at the scene. The woman that she was trying to help - 33-year-old Jaimee Underwood of Franklin, was in critical but stable condition at Vanderbilt Tuesday morning.

Trucker Faces Two Charges in Accident

Trucker James Fitzgerald was not seriously injured in the collision. After being taken to Summit Medical Center to be checked out, he went through Night Court after being charged with vehicular homicide and aggravated assault.

Officers giving testimony to the Night Court commissioner stated that witnesses and evidence at the scene suggest Fitzgerald's truck was travelling over 80 mph at the time of the accident. Records from Officer Dedman's patrol car indicate the vehicle's blue flashing lights were on.

For the two charges, the commissioner set Fitzgerald's bond at $3 million, an unusually high bond. However, officers say the trucker made statements that he was in a hurry to leave town and that he "didn't have time for this." The officers considered him to be a flight risk. The commisioner told the trucker he can ask the court for a bond reduction as early as Tuesday. For now he is in the Metro Jail.

Witnesses at the scene Monday night told News 2 that part of the officer's car was out in traffic. The investigation into the wreck is on-going.

What the news failed to mention was that while the police officer was on the shoulder of the road, it was the LEFT shoulder next to a concrete barrier. While they also said that the police car was partially out in traffic, they failed to mention how much of the vehicle was in the road.
Witnesses, including another police officer claimed that the truck was running in excess of 80 miles per hour. The officer said he was behind the truck on his way to the other officer when the accident occured. Another witness who claimed to be in the lane beside the truck said that he didn't use the brakes because there was no tires squeal.
Now my two cents worth.
1. While it is possible that the truck was running in excess of 80 mph, it is unlikely. The fact that the truck was owned by a large company is one of the reasons I think this way. Most (not all) big companies keep their trucks max speed at or below 70 mph due to speed limits as well as fuel and insurance costs.
The trucking company released a statement today that the truck was computer controlled and was unable to exceed 70 mph
Also if the second police officer was behind as was stated on the local news why didn't he pull the truck over for speeding.
2. A loaded truck while has good braking ability, it very doubtful that it would have the ability to lock the brakes, therefore there would be no tires squeaing. Also if she was in the lane beside the truck he couldn't move out of the lane he was in.
Don't get me wrong, I hate that the officer was killed. hate that any of this happened. But according to news reports this truck driver was a lunatic that had no regard to anybody's safety. Sometimes no matter what you do you can't avoid an accident. And to charge the man like they did, without reviewing all the evidence is an even bigger injustice.
Here are a couple of links to this:
http://www.wkrn.com/Global/story.asp?s=%20%202063183
http://www.tennessean.com/local/archives/04/07/54660742.shtml?Element_ID=54660742

Jim

[Boilerbuster]

One can lock up the brakes when the truck is unloaded. However when a Truck is Loaded it takes alot of force to lock up the brakes.

What Company does he drive for?
Govenor Speeds of Companys I know of.
JB Hunt = 62 mph
Swift = 65 mph
Most other large companys have simular speed restricted Govenors on there trucks for fuel milage reasons.

The truck I drive does 72 however I drive at 60 since I drive on a highway and not the Interstate. After being to Lowell Arkansas I see that alot of the Highways that way are alot narrower then they are here. The lanes where so narrow there that the JB Hunt truck I was driving was wider then the lane I was in.
That also goes with saying that if you get a flat tire get off the road and dont just pull over in the median... when I pull the Semi over I have to make sure its compleatly out of the lane which means sometimes getting it half way into the ditch. Also if he didnt lock up his brakes it may have been he was doing applyed braking. A truck driver drives enough that he learnes just how much brake pressure he can apply before the brakes lock up. Also when a truck is loaded its brakes work much better then when its empty.

http://forums.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/40a3ad6d17a90f92.jpg

Don Pottorff

[Boilerbuster]

Another thought is that patrol car dosnt look like a semi hit it going 80. Not enough dammage. I have seen cars where the semi had ripped it in half. I am supprised that the semi was doing 80 that both women wernt killed instantly.



http://forums.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/40a3ad6d17a90f92.jpg

Don Pottorff

[Boilerbuster]

The news said he was driving for Continental Express. I looked at there web site.... There is no way he was going 80 mph The trucks are restricted to 68 mph. The only Exception to this is if he were an owner opperator.... that is if he owned his own truck and was driving for the company. That wasnt told in any of the news articals I read... I sent an email to the News channel you mentioned telling them to look into it. I told them I visited the company page and found those findings. I also told them about the owner opperator part as well.




http://forums.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/40a3ad6d17a90f92.jpg

Don Pottorff

[kmanc21]

Deleted - as I posted while angry.

[KeltikSylk]

There was a report last night that claims the trucker was avoiding a red Honda that crossed lanes in front of him. There was a woman who was riding in the truck. She says that as he swung out of the way of the other car, he caught the tailend of the police cruiser (which was in the left lay) and slammed it into the barrier.

They did show the affidavit from the company that the governors are set for 70 mph.

It is not unusual for cars to change lanes radically down here. Driving around Nashville requires being on your toes every second 'cause some Earnhardt "wanna be" WILL cut you out.

While it is possible that the woman was covering for the driver, it is more probable that two events combined to create a tragedy. The driver may have been caught in a situation that had no escape...As the saying goes, "Fate is the Hunter".

The media here is very conservative. The fact that a police officer was killed in the line of duty weighs heavily in the story. We don't always get "balanced news".

Frank Musick

Moving America into the 19th Century!
http://forums.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3e159ecd600b805c.jpg
www.kelticsylk.com

[Gixxer86g]

If he swerved he was wrong.Both defensive and offensive driving classes that I have taken focus on minimizing an accident.That cruiser wasn't involved until the trucker swerved.That trucker brought a third party into a situation that involved only a truck and a Honda.If I'm pulled into a situation like this one ,I'll hit the a**hole in the Honda instead of swerving into an innocent bystander.The Honda driver started this,he gets to pay.Of course,I'm basing this only on the info posted in this thread.This isn't a shot out against truckers.Just this one.

[Gixxer86g]

On the flip side,because a cop was involved,who knows what the truth really is here.It's horrible that the cop died,and a man's future is now in question.Folks,think before you swerve,brake,or whatever.The most important component of any vehicle is the driver.

[Gixxer86g]

And I'm sure the truth,as always, is in between both stories.

[bigbadCN_man]

Hey. I feel for the family of the Police Officer. When we went down to the US(I live in Nova Scotia) on vacation I was terrified at the driving. Dad was not passing at all. Thats all I will say about that. In Canada I THINK it is a Police practice (I know you always see it with the RCMP) to have your car a little bit on the road so if someone does hit it you might have that barrier to help.
I want to be a Police Officer when I'm older (with the RCMP) and its moments like this that discourage me.
Cheers, Morgan

[ATF1224]

In the state of North Carolina, it is a law that when you approach an emergency vehicle stopped on the side of the highway that you MUST move to the other lane. It is also standard practice here to park with our vehicle about 1 foot out into the roadway, both for the safety of the Officer and Driver, and for the safety of the other motorists. You are more likely to see a Police car with flashing lights than a regular vehicle obstructing the roadway.

[Gixxer86g]

Jake,as practice,I always try to move at least one lane away from any vehicle that's on the side of the road,especially police and other emergency vehicles.It's just common sense.

[Gixxer86g]

By the way,what's the speed limit on I40 where the accident occured?

[Hack]

What are the lane restrictions regarding semis for that stretch of hiway and how wide is it? Three or more lanes restricts the rigs from using the #1, no?

Cheers!
Marc - 3DTrains
http://www.3dtrains.com

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Pro Series SuperPacks

[DCRR1]

I speak as a 30 year veteran of the Philadelphia Police. Whenever I stop a car or assist a disabled motorist, I always stopped my squad car 5 feet to the road side and 15 feet to the rear. This is MY safety barrier. Even with rotating red/blue roof lights, red/blue strobes in back window, 4 way flashers, and white strobes in the back up lites, The car was still hit 3 times, no injuries to me or the people I stopped/helped. Somebody cut me off is the most popular excuse. I am sure that happens occasionally, but its always handy to blame an unknown person who can't be found. I assume I40 is an Interstate, if so then lanes and shoulders are at least 12 feet wide. My deepest sympathy to the Officers family and fellow Officers.

J.R.

[KeltikSylk]

Ther has been more about this in the local paper. The truck driver has a record of offenses, including license suspension in two states, speeding and other traffic violations in commercial and nin-commercial vehicles.

It also appears he has several criminal convictions.

Even if there was some mitigating circumstances, this guy is still in deep trouble.

Frank Musick

Moving America into the 19th Century!
http://forums.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3e159ecd600b805c.jpg
www.kelticsylk.com

[mjs2101]

I say the guy is a lunatic, simply for the attitude that he was reported as having! "I am in a hurry and don't have time for this?" Whether he could have avoided the accident or not is irrelevant. If you have that kind of an attitude when driving, you don't need to be driving!
Of course that is the problem on the roads these days. Everyone in a rush to get somewhere and they could care less about anyone around them! Both car and truck drivers!

Mykel

[rpicardi1]

"Jake,as practice,I always try to move at least one lane away from any vehicle that's on the side of the road,especially police and other emergency vehicles.It's just common sense."

In the State of Michigan, its the law. If you see a police or other emergency vehicle parked alongside the road and you don't move over one lane or slow down to 45mph, you can be ticked and points added to your driving record. The law was passed as a result of such injuries and deaths caused by the idiots traveling in a big fat f****** hurry, yacking on their cell phone, drinking, eating, smoking, yelling at the kids, etc..., not paying atention to driving, to get wherever they are going as quickly as possible.

The State Police around here have also been known to stage stings based on the new 45 or move over one lane law. They have a car pulled over along the expressway, the police cruiser with lights flashing. Up on the overpass bridge is an officer with a two way and radar gun looking for violators. He radios one of his dozen buddies down the road the discription of the car that races by the sting. A profitable day can results in hundreds of tickets issued.

SRV Ron

[georgi55_activated]

I don't know but when I drive from Washington DC to Kalamazoo (Chicago direction)
and pass through Pennsylvania, the most of the speed limit is 55 there because of hills and contractions
but some truckers pass me on the RIGHT lane me driving at 60~65 and them driving at least 70 to 75.
I've called at least 3 of those 1-800-How is my driving numbers and reported them.
During the 650 miles drive I get pissed to truck drivers passing me or cutting me off
(not moving over to left because there is reason, just to pass another trucker driving at 65)
more than I get pissed with idiots with BMW's and Mercedes.

[Braindead6]

Marc ( and some of the other that are inquiring)
That section of I-40, although still in the Nashville city limits is a 70mph speed zone. As far as I know there are no lane restrictions on that section of road either. I'm not sure of the law concerning left lane driving for trucks here I think there is no restriction unless posted.
I also see that most officers use their patrol cars as a safe barrier. I not only agree with that I endorse it. And I also endorse the moving over a lane if emergency equiptment is on the shoulder or in the edge of a lane, although it is not always possible. If I see something on the shoulder I have a habit of crowding the other lane, although I may not be able to move completely out of the lane.
It was never my intention to fault the police officer for what she did, what got me so riled up was the first officer on the scene. While it wasn't quoted in the papers he said on the news that he was following the truck while in route to the disabled motorist. He stated to news cameras that the truck was running in excess of 80 mph. If that was the case the officer following the truck should have stopped the truck. That in itself would have avoided the whole thing.
However after the trucking company stated that their trucks were computer set at 70 mph the officer in question stated he never said he was running 80.
Ialso read the truck drivers driving history, and although in my opinion he should never have been driving a truck, the police didn't know this until after he was arrested and charged. They also made a big issue out of him getting his CDL license in Kentucky. There is no law against this. In fact when CDL's first came out, several states allowed you to take all of the written tests at home and then mail them in. New York was one of the states that did this. I had a couple of friends that took their tests this way.
What was announced on the news about his criminal convictions was that it was supposed to be for bad checks.
I still haven't heard the results of the drug test, but in my humble opinion if he tested hot he's where he needs to be.
If I remember correctly about the time it was about 7 pm. That means that traffic was really heavy on that strech of interstate. While Tennessee does have a law about moving over a lane to avoid emergency Vehicles, one of the witnesses said they were in the lane beside the truck. That "might" have made moving difficult. There are also several small hills in the road at that location possibly making it more difficult to see the officer. If there was another truck in front of him it may also block his view.
It was never my intent to say that the officer that was hit was wrong in any way. In my opinion she was doing her job helping a stranded motorist. What got under my skin was the the other policeman acted, as well as the way the news portrayed the whole thing.
The family of the fallen officer also has my deepest sympathy.

Jim

[tryagin]

Quote: Of course that is the problem on the roads these days. Everyone in a rush to get somewhere and they could care less about anyone around them! Both car and truck drivers! :Unquote

Three weeks ago my daughter's playmate, 11 years old, was struck down and seriously injured by a carload of teens, (who promptly ran), right in front of her house, a block away from where I live. They have yet to catch them.

Two months prior to this, my daughter's friend from around the corner, had her 12 year old brother run down by a speeding motorist. These were on residential streets. We live on a back street in a residential area. Unfortunately the street we live on is a convenient shortcut from the main gut of our town to the main street along the beach. It's quite common for motorists to do anywhere from 30 to 50 mph down our street (20mph is the legal limit), especially during tourist season. And yammering on their cell phones and picking their noses all the while.

My wife was injured while she was stopped in traffic on Hwy 101 in town. The 16 year old driver coming along behind was too busy brushing her hair in the rearview mirror to see that traffic was stopped. She was doing 45mph in a 30 zone when she hit my wife. My wife's car was shoved into the 72 Buick in front, so she got another impact, then a tertiary impact from the 16-year old's car again. My wife was not seriously injured thanks to the design of our car, but she has not been the same since. But I am thankful there was no fire, and that the car the teen was driving was a small Honda.

It's a bad situation. And so many people don't take responsibilty for their actions anymore. everyone, please slow down!!! Life's too short.

My prayers to the family of the slain police officer, and to the other lady whose life will never be the same again.

[Gixxer86g]

Keep right and you won't get passed on the right.Or step on the gas.

[georgi55_activated]

Keep right and you will see a guy driving 50mph in no time and you have to move over to left again,
while I'm on left side I'm always following the other traffic,
and when opportunity arises that the right lane is traveling faster from time to time,
then those truckers start passing up on the right.

BTW, truckers in Michigan seem to be very nice, they always make signals
when they want to come to right lane in front of you (because of blocked lane or something)
and always give you a thank you by flashing the emergency lights for few seconds when you let them in.

[Gixxer86g]

Yeah,that kind of respect is rare on the roads today.