A four year old was killed by out of control police cars!
By foxyfire33
@foxyfire33 (10005)
United States
May 31, 2007 10:45pm CST
The story was just on the news here. It happened earlier today so of course they didn't give out a lot of details yet but here's what I know. Two police cars were speeding to respond to a call. They were on different streets and both went into an intersection at the same time. They collided and while out of control went up onto the sidewalk where a 4 year old little boy was standing. He was hit and killed. (No, I don't know where the adult was, the news report didn't say)
I'm sharing this with you partly so you remember to hug you little ones a little tighter...you never know what can happen.
But also because I think this tragedy could have been easily avoided. Two police cars meeting and hitting at an intersection like that is probably a pretty freak accident but I'm still not sure that a siren is enough warning to allow them to go through intersections disregarding the traffic lights. The part that would have been really easy to prevent was the little boy standing there when it happened. Sirens and lights might be exciting to look at but they mean get out of the way. So my little lesson for the night is this...If you are outside and you hear sirens coming, don't stand out by the street to see what's going on. Watch from the relative safety of your porch or front window if you have to. Emergency vehicles aren't exciting enough to risk your child's life over no matter how much they like watching.
3 people like this
15 responses
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
1 Jun 07
Maybe you aren't all that far from me afterall? The channel I had it on (WNEP)didn't say much and mostly interviewed bystanders and neighbors after giving out the basics. I'm guessing there will be more information about it tomorrow. All I could picture when I heard about it was my own 4 year old little boy standing there waving at firetrucks when we watched a parade. I can't help but think this little boy was probably just doing the same thing.
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
1 Jun 07
The cops were negligent and breaking the law.
One of the first things you learn in the Emergency Vehicle Operating Coarse (EVOC) is, you have to come to a complete stop at all red lights before continuing through. They also teach us that, while we are allowed to break some traffic laws while in emergency mode, we are still responsible for our driving.
The laws during pursuits are a little different, but if they were responding to a call, there is no excuse.
1 person likes this
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
1 Jun 07
Thanks for the information! I knew it was alright to break some laws under certain conditions but didn't really know the specifics. In that case then it is quite simple, the officers were negligent....Based on what details they gave out tonight at least. Not much was said but it did say they were responding to a call not involved in a pursuit.
1 person likes this
@samtaylorskykierajen (7977)
• Canada
1 Jun 07
What a horrible tradegy for so many families .
You know I have never thought of it this way before and you are so right . So often you hear a siren and everyone runs out to see what is going on but you never really give it much thought to make sure you are in a safe spot in case something does go wrong .
This is a very good lesson for all of us to know especially parents with little boys who love to play that they are a cop or that love to hear a siren going down the road because to them it is exciting and they don't realize that it indicates danger .
I pray for the family of this little boy and can't imangine what kind of pain they are in tonight and for the families of the cops who risk their lives every day to save us from getting hurt and put their lives in danger to keep us all safe .
1 person likes this
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
1 Jun 07
I hope many prayers are going out tonight from those who heard about this. I just can't imagine how the little boy's family is feeling. I think that many times we forget that emergency vehicles aren't invincible, they can have accidents too.
1 person likes this
@tinamwhite (3252)
• United States
1 Jun 07
According to the news report that I heard said that the mother was walking with the little boy when this occurred...
What a horrific tradegy...I feel so much empathy for this poor family...words can hardly express my feelings...
Yes, I agree, my friend....one never knows what will happen....I never see or leave one of my children without hugging and kissing them and telling them that I love them...
I also agree that it seems like this type of accident should have been preventable...the emergency vehicles do run an increased risk when crossing an intersection....
The officers involved in this accident are surely sick with themselves tonight.....what a horrible thing to have to live with...even though they were doing their job....I am sure that this horrible thing never crossed their minds....and now it will eternally be etched there...
My thoughts and prayers are with all of them....
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
1 Jun 07
Thanks for adding that about the mother! If my news said it I missed it but I was wondering. Having a 4 year old little boy myself I can't even let myself think about what the family is going through tonight. The officers must feel horrible. Although based on another response it sounds like at least one of them was at fault for going through the intersection like that (unless I misunderstood what the report said)....since I was wrong about WHEN it happened too, it was last night not tonight....
Just in case anyone else reads responses (LOL) here's the link to the little tiny online story from the same news channel I saw it on.
http://www.wnep.com/Global/story.asp?S=6593473
1 person likes this
@tinamwhite (3252)
• United States
1 Jun 07
I saw the news report on CNN this morning when I got up around 7 a.m.
We both have son's this age...well, Alex just turned 5....but I am with you...the thought is inconceivable to me as well....this child's mother must be beside herself...I mean she was right there and unable to protect her child....I know that she will carry unnecessary guilty for eternity....she had no control over this, of course, but I think I would still feel that way.....
I am sure that there will be repercussions in the police department where this occurred and rightfully so....I thought that they were in persuit also...the news is so sketchy sometimes....and the facts get confused....
Many prayers are being said for these families tonight and I am sure that they need every one of them.....
Take care, my friend....
@kennycaxton2006 (82)
• Nigeria
1 Jun 07
well its so touching u know for a child of four to be hitten with a car precisely a police car u know its not fair. i think the actual reason for that is the police men were after someone because i can't expect a police to drive rough in the street. assuming they are not driving rough i think they would not hv hit the boy. also i urge the govt that they should provide adequate first aid treatment because if their are adequate first aid i think they would hv help the boy before taking him to the hospital. so i think they should find possible solutions
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
2 Jun 07
Yes, as was stated before the police were responding to an emergency call when it happened. I'm very certain proper "first aid" was administered at the scene of the accident. This state has very good ambulance services.
@paradise12 (938)
• India
2 Jun 07
this is really very horrible and touchy news...oh poor child,indeed it was a freak accident.well i m not married so i dont have any child but i will always remember this thing.thanks for ur piece of advice.byee.tc.
@meljessxena (2315)
• Australia
2 Jun 07
oh my goodness that is so horrible. i think i have heard someone say something about this but they didnt know all the details
@mssnow (9484)
• United States
1 Jun 07
Police chases can get out of control anywhere anytime. i saw a police car ram through a house one time. So your not safe anywhere. i feel really bad for the little boy. But hopefully something good will come out of it. usually when something bad happens then something good follows. A lesson learned. I will keep the family of that little boy in my prayers. Too bad such a young innocent life is gone now. Thanks for sharing.
@songbirdnaimh (1422)
• United States
2 Jun 07
That is so scary. There's been a news story in a nearby state recently. An officer ran a stop sign (not for a call, just ran it) and hit another car, killing two teens. There are many who want his job taken away for carelessness...
@yamahagirl (415)
•
1 Jun 07
Thats real bad i live in london and the amount of people that are getting run over by the police its unbeliveable,
I dont think that they should be speeding no matter what,people like you and me are not allowed to drive like that why should they? ive offenten seen the police sitting in traffic and then all of a sudden there blue lights start going and the sirens start,and when they have passed through the traffic the lights and sirens go off.
just cause there old bill they should not be allowed to drive like mad people.
@jolenegreen (1209)
• United States
1 Jun 07
Awww...thats soo sad. I thank the lord everyday for blessing me everyday with my 2 beautiful children. This story is sooo sad. All i can picture is a small child standing at the side of the road staring in amazement to the sirens. U know how kids are...thanks for the reminder
@imisshue2 (4)
• United States
2 Jun 07
OmG! I am so sorry to hear that! I cant imagine what their family is going through.
