Maine |
Friday, March 1, 2013 at 9:00 am
FAIRFIELD (AP) — A Fairfield police officer who caused an accident in January while making a U-turn in pursuit of a speeding car has been cleared of wrongdoing.
A crash report by Maine State Police showed that Officer William Beaulieu failed to yield the right of way when his cruiser made a U-turn on U.S. Route 201 and was struck by a truck on Jan. 31.
But a deputy attorney general determined that no traffic citation be issued because the turn was legal, did not happen on a curve or the crest of a hill where the oncoming vehicle could not be seen.
Beaulieu was injured and his cruiser was totaled.
The Morning Sentinel reported that the driver of the car he was pursuing could still be issued a speeding ticket.
Report a correction
How can one
"fail to yield" and cause such an accident, and yet be cleared of any wrongdoing?
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Not sure.
Though I AM pretty sure if I pulled a U-turn on my way home tonight and caused an accident, I'd be charged...
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Its easy to second guess....
Maybe the turn was in a spot visible to oncoming traffic, that doesn't make it a safe turn. Was the trooper in a designated passing zone? If not he would be in violation of "Marked Lane" laws. What was the configuration of the center yellow lines in the road? If the approaching driver was able to brake before impact, then what notice if any did the other driver have regarding the impending lane blockage. The other driver is by law entitled to advance knowledge of whats about to happen (turn signals). This story doesn't supply much evidence to support the courts decision......
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (1)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.