RSSPedestrian Killed by Orange City Police Cruiser Responding to Emergency Call
Very early on Monday, June 1st, an incident happened in Orange City, located within Volusia County, that resulted in the death of a pedestrian. Currently, the collision remains under investigation, however we know that it began around 12:45 a.m. At this time, in another part of the city, a disturbance was reported involving numerous people. In the emergency calls, it was indicated that a shotgun was involved, although it is not clear if any shots were fired.
One of the numerous police officers to respond to this call was a sergeant with the Orange City Police Department. It is not clear where the disturbance was reported, and we do not know where the office was when the report was called in, but it is clear that the officer began to drive down the southern lanes of Enterprise Road within Orange City on their way to the reported incident.
At this same time, a 51-year-old woman from Edgewater was walking along Enterprise Road. The reports did not indicate whether there is a sidewalk along Enterprise Road, and it is therefore not clear if the woman was walking in the roadway itself or if she was traveling in a designated pedestrian area. What is clear is that the 51-year-old decided to try and cross Enterprise Road before the intersection with Grand Plaza Drive.
The area where the woman attempted to cross does not feature a crosswalk. It appears as though the pedestrian was therefore walking across the middle of the roadway when the Orange City Police Department sergeant reached the area.
The lights on the marked police vehicle were active at the time, although it is not known if the cruiser’s siren was also engaged.
When the cruiser struck the pedestrian, it was still traveling at a considerably high rate of speed, and the pedestrian was subsequently injured tremendously by the impact. By the time EMTs and paramedics arrived, there was nothing that could be done and the 51-year-old was declared dead at the scene.
The police sergeant was not injured in the crash.
The incident remains under investigation. It is not believed that any charges are currently pending.
Sources:
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.
Mr. Cunningham is an excellent and knowledgeable attorney.