PATROL VEHICLE INVOLVED IN THREE-CAR ACCIDENT

  • Published
  • By Tim Barela
  • Torch Magazine
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  While responding to a silent alarm April 23, a security policeman here tried to pass in the left lane and collided with a vehicle making a left-hand turn. The impact caused the patrol car to do a full flip in the air and land tires down on top of another vehicle, which was parked, ironically, in front of 12th Flying Training Wing safety office.

"It was 7 in the morning on a weekday, so traffic was pretty thick as people were arriving at work," said Keith Williams, who served as the safety investigator for the mishap. "The patrolman had his overhead lights going, but some people weren't moving over. That's when he made the sudden decision to pass."

The airman first class, driving a 2004 Chevy Impala sedan, smashed into a civilian contractor who was in a 2007 Nissan Xterra sport utility vehicle. After flipping, the patrol car landed on top of a 1997 Buick Century.

The security forces Airman and the contractor, who both wore seat belts, sustained only minor injuries, according to Williams. The patrol car was totaled at a cost of about $18,500. Damage to the two civilian vehicles could cost between $5,000 and $10,000, Williams said.

According to the safety investigator, there's lessons to be learned here.

"For emergency personnel, an emergency response resulting in a crash does no one any good," Williams said. "For those who see emergency vehicle lights flashing or hear their horns or sirens, move over to the right as quickly and safely as possible, so they can get through and do their job. And for everyone, don't just get focused on what's in front of you. Even if you are making a left-hand turn, it's prudent to glance in your rearview mirror before doing so."