Posted in Aggressive Driving,Car Accident,Negligence,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on May 1, 2015
Driver Dies after Fleeing from Police in Cookeville
A driver crashed his vehicle and died after leading police on a high-speed chase in Cookeville, Tennessee, Tuesday afternoon when he fled from a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper.
According to a report by the Herald-Citizen, the accident occurred just before 4 p.m. when the 63-year-old Crossville man crashed into the rear of a tractor-trailer near mile marker 295 between Cookeville and Monterey in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 40.
Police reported that a state trooper pulled the man over and issued him a traffic citation. When she returned to her cruiser to conduct a warrants and license check, the man fled the scene. While checking the man’s driving history, the trooper discovered that he was driving on a revoked license.
The chase reached speeds in excess of 100 mph, and the man wasn’t wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident.
Responders who arrived at the accident scene said the man was likely under the influence of alcohol and drugs at the time of the crash, although further tests are being conducted to confirm.
The accident caused traffic to backup for a few hours while police investigated and responders worked to clear the scene.
The Cookeville car accident lawyers at Matt Hardin Law express our condolences to the family of the man who died in this car accident.
Who Is at Risk during High-Speed Pursuits?
Although rare, high-speed pursuits are something many police officers deal with at some point during their careers. These chases are often glorified on television and in movies, but in reality they are extremely dangerous for multiple parties, including:
As the accident above shows, drivers and passengers of vehicles involved in high-speed chases are at high risk of losing control and crashing while trying to avoid police. High-speed chases often end with drivers striking other vehicles head-on or in T-bone accidents at intersections. While these accidents are already extremely dangerous at normal speeds, they can become fatal at high speeds.
Police and state troopers are responsible for apprehending drivers during high-speed chases by using various tactics to stop or disable the driver’s vehicle. These tactics can range from laying spike strips on roadways to forcing the vehicle off the road with their own police cruisers. Because police have to follow the vehicle closely at high speed, officers put themselves at high risk while navigating traffic and avoiding other vehicles while pursuing the suspect.
During high-speed chases, suspects and police officers may pass hundreds of innocent drivers and their passengers before the chase ends. Every vehicle on the road is at risk of being struck by either the suspect or police—and in many cases, innocent victims end up suffering serious and life-threatening injuries as a result of a high-speed chase.
The Cookeville car accident attorneys at Matt Hardin Law know that high-speed car chases can instantly turn a normal street, highway, or interstate into an area that’s extremely dangerous. Unfortunately, high-speed chases often occur without warning and police may be unable to close the road or reroute traffic.
If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident, including a police pursuit, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repair costs, and more. Get in touch with our legal team today to find out more. Just dial (931) 754-1188 or fill out a free online form. We’re here to help you get the resources you need to move past the accident for good.
