Tennessee and Georgia Crashes Involving Officers Not Uncommon
According to a May 21, 2012 Times Free Press news article, hundreds of Tennessee and Georgia residents are involved every year in officer-involved car crashes. And an average of two to three people, either officers or other drivers, are killed annually in both states.
The article cites the February accident in Georgia that killed Leon Thurman, 70, when his car was hit broadside by a patrol car driven by former Varnell officer James Smith. Smith resigned, but the Georgia State Patrol is investigating the accident.
Thurman’s family has filed a civil suit. The suit maintains that Officer Smith was traveling at a speed of at least 90 mph in a 45 mph zone when he hit Thurman’s Neon as he crossed Cleveland Highway.
In Tennessee, a 2005 law was passed that required police officers to attend annual driving safety trainings and to have sirens on when responding to all emergency calls. This legislation was a reaction to the 2002 death of a Chattanooga University of Tennessee student who was killed in a Tennessee auto accident by a police vehicle that had its lights, but not siren on.
When in pursuit, all Tennessee patrol car drivers are required by law to slow down when going through a red light or stop sign and use both lights and sirens when responding to emergencies.
According to Tennessee Highway Patrol statistics, in 2009 there were a total of 582 injuries and two deaths in crashes involving officers. Corresponding numbers for 2010 are 527 injuries and four deaths, and for 2011, 637 injuries and four deaths.
These numbers include both non-law enforcement and law enforcement victims.
Since graduating magna cum laude in 2005 from the University of Memphis School of Law, Thomas has helped make a difference in the lives of victims of serious personal injury, wrongful death, and professional negligence. Thomas has extensive trial experience in both state and federal court. Among other victories in the courtroom, Thomas obtained several impressive jury verdicts and settlements
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