Motorhome driver sentenced in fatal accident

dodge guy wrote:

jspringator wrote:
I can't believe they charged him unless he was drunk or high, texting, or going 80. He couldn't have been going that fast, because he got it hauled down pretty quick.

Half of the jury would see that curve, the space between the 2 vehicles and not know what to do. It is not plain or obvious.

I'm sure there are standards for directing traffic on an interstate highway, and I can't say what they are, but this shouldn't meet them. It would appear obvious that the officer was physically incapable of moving his cruiser. No one would have permitted anything be moved in a crime scene.

I agree. If that picture is taken right after the accident with nothing moved (and I don`t believe they moved anything with the death of a cop). then that entire scene is very hard to interpret when coming up on it even at less than the posted speed limit. I too would have a hard time making sense of it.

I`ve seen many things like this when traveling. some of them make me shake my head when I see them. I`ve even seen a cop that had someone pulled over where the cruiser was 3/4 in the right lane and the car he pulled over was on the shoulder. that`s just asking for someone to plow into the back of your police car. we had a cop here in town that would park so far over in the lane that if the cruiser was hit it would just run the officer over instead protecting him the way the placement is intended.

Going by the picture the HWY dept worker, and the police officer did not fully do their job (vehicle placement and proper marker placement) and in the process an officer lost his life because they didn`t follow procedure! And it sounds like the judge seen the same thing!

It was a tragic accident people. It`s unfortunate, but it`s time to move on!

I think it`s time to close this one down.

Wow, hope I don't need to be driving in the same accident scene as you in the future.

To the statement in Red, I know in the NW, State Patrol officers are taught to park just that way with the cruisers tires turned to the left, to protect the officer and the vehicle they have pulled over.
Now Days as stated earlier many states have laws that require drivers to give emergency vehicles a clear lane when on the shoulder.
It was also stated that witnesses saw the MH traveling faster than the other slowing traffic. Lastly who in their right mind would try to squeeze a MH and trailer through that tight of opening.
It is not like the officer pulled out in front of him, the cruiser and sign truck were in place. Keeping the cruiser straight gives maximum rearward effect of the lights. Looking at the picture to me the Sign truck has a partial block on the right lane the cruiser the next lane out, and you would believe you should drive between them? :S

Sorry, I would never see that way, no way should a logical mind think to go between two emergency vehicles.