Haines City Police Officer Fired After High-Speed Car Crash in Polk County

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on June 20, 2021

After dutifully scouring over the intricate details of a high-speed collision that occurred back in February between a member of the Haines City Police Department and another motorist, Haines City and Polk County detectives were finally able to conclude their nearly four-month long intensive investigation as a local television station unearthed dashcam evidence which allegedly shows negligence on behalf of the officer in question.

According to an official statement from the Haines City Police Department on Friday, June 18^th, 2021, Officer Christopher Jackson, who was placed on administrative leave shortly after the accident occurred, has been terminated from his position with the local law enforcement agency after an internal investigation discovered that he violated crucial department policies while responding to a call. These violations include failing to notify the department that he was responding in an emergency mode, failing to operate his vehicle with due regard, and damaging city property. Officer Jackson also received disciplinary action for “untruthfulness,” however, it does not state if that issue is related to this current collision. In addition to these infractions, Officer Jackson was also cited by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for breaking two traffic laws by not wearing his seatbelt and driving too fast for conditions.

Case reports indicate that Officer Jackson was driving his marked, department-issued Dodge Charger along Highway 17 in Haines City during the early morning rush hour when he received contact from dispatch regarding an incident in the area that required his attention. It is unknown at this time if the emergency lights atop the patrol car were illuminated as the officer proceeded to achieve the shocking speed of 107 mph shortly before he slammed into a Toyota Corolla that had just entered this notoriously busy section of Highway 17. A majority of the collision was caught on tape by a dashcam from a nearby 18-wheeler that had narrowly avoided the crash. This footage ended up playing a crucial role in determining the chain-of events that led up to the car accident.

Both victims of the high-speed accident were transported by emergency vehicles to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Corolla suffered a broken leg and arm, and has since stated their intent to pursue legal action against the police department.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.