Reckless Driver Crashes Into Disabled Vehicle and Police Car | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

Even before Virginia lawmaker enacted a “move over” law to protect emergency responders and motorists, I would instinctively change lanes whenever I approached a disabled vehicle or an emergency vehicle stopped on the side of the road. So why do so many people ignore the requirement to create space or slow down and hit people and officers on the side of the road? I just don’t know the answer. It could be driver distraction, inattention, or just plain reckless driving. In the case of a car accident, the results could be unfortunate. One of these was the case on June 17, 201, when a Hampton, Virginia (VA), police vehicle was involved in a traffic accident at around 2:00 pm on Mercury Boulevard.

According to reports the police officer had stopped to assist a disabled vehicle near the LaSalle overpass. The officer had his flashing lights on and flares behind the car. A Ford SUV crashed into the officer’s car which in turn crashed into the disabled vehicle. The driver of the SUV has been charged with one count of reckless driving.

 


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Thankfully, the officer and the occupant of the disabled vehicle were at the side of the road when the crash occurred and were not hurt. But as a Virginia personal injury attorney, I know this type of accident happens far too often and with devastating consequences.

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