What are the costs?
The headlines read:
Motorcyclist dies after trying to flee from police in Portsmouth
The motorcyclist who crashed while being pursued by police this morning in Portsmouth has died of his injuries, an official said. -=SOURCE=-
Maybe I’ve been a cop too long. But I look at this situation, and my first thoughts are "if you don’t have the skills to be riding like that… don’t do it."
I’m sorry that someone lost a brother/son/uncle/father… but come on. How many other people did this guy put in danger? The officer? Folks in his path?
What was the cost of all of this? I wonder if the Police Department couldn’t sue this guy’s insurance company and recoup some of the cost of the investigation. I’ve worked many fatal accidents in my career and I can tell you the man hours put into the most clear cut accidents are astronomical.
There were probably 6 or more officers on the scene, a couple more went to the hospital with the rider, and still more will be reconstructing and investigating the accident for weeks to come. The on scene investigation was probably in the neighborhood of 5-6 hours. Equipment, materials usage…
It may seem cold for me to look at this in such an analytical way, but this guy chose to run from the police and did so over estimating his skills on a motorcycle, or underestimating the power of that same motorcycle. And in doing so, he has cost his family immeasurably and the citizens of Portsmouth thousands of dollars, maybe even tens of thousands of dollars.
And for what? To avoid a traffic summons? Maybe he was wanted for another crime. I don’t know. I only know as much as the papers are publishing.
Disclaimer: This post is my personal opinion and does not reflect the official position of the Portsmouth Virginia Police Department or the City of Portsmouth Virginia. It should in no way be construed as an official statement of the Portsmouth Police Department or the City of Portsmouth. No communications from the Portsmouth Police Department or the City of Portsmouth were used to facilitate this opinion piece. It is based solely on the information in The Virginian-Pilot / PilotOnline.
Comments
By Andy Black on July 20th, 2008 at 06:54 am
Perhaps the most maddening part of this incident are the folks (media included) who will somehow affix blame on the police for chasing the guy…
By Mona Dice on July 21st, 2008 at 22:54 pm
I agree with you, Scott, and Mr Black. The accident wastes time & money, plus the police will probably be, somehow, to blame.
The lack of personal responsibility in cases like this are what’s truly maddening. Everyone except the offender are to blame. Since this man died as a result of his actions someone in his family will [possibly] try to sue to top of the other expenses.