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NFlcamper · 05-28-2014, 08:23 PM

In the local news; St. Johns County cruiser hits truck, camper trailer | News - Home

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. - A St. Johns County deputy responding to an emergency call was shaken up Monday afternoon when his cruiser hit a truck and the camper trailer it was towing.
The crash occurred on County Road 210 at the intersection with 16A.
The deputy, 23-year-old Bray Taylor, was driving in emergency mode with his marked patrol car's lights and siren on when he struck a large puddle of water on a curve and lost control of his vehicle.

The front of the patrol car hit a Chevrolet Silverado traveling eastbound on CR 16A and the camper trailer it was towing before the patrol car went into a ditch on the westbound shoulder of the road.
The driver of the Silverado, 70-year-old John Mack, and his passenger, Linda Mack, 65, had minor injuries and were not hospitalized. Taylor also had minor injuries, and the cruiser had to be towed from the scene.

Glad no one was seriously injured - things can be replaced.

PushedAround · 05-28-2014, 08:35 PM

Boy he sure tore up that truck & trailer. Glad that no-one was seriously hurt. Looks like another couple of feet would have turned that into an ugly head-on.

Franka548 · 05-28-2014, 08:44 PM

I wonder if the deputy got a ticket for failure to control or driving too fast for conditions? Glad no one was seriously hurt.

Mekanic · 05-28-2014, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franka548

I wonder if the deputy got a ticket for failure to control or driving too fast for conditions? Glad no one was seriously hurt.

That would depend on Florida's laws and the officer that writes the report.

IamJerryP · 05-28-2014, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franka548

I wonder if the deputy got a ticket for failure to control or driving too fast for conditions? Glad no one was seriously hurt.

More likely to ticket the trailer owner for interfering with the crashing of a police vehicle

slickest1 · 05-28-2014, 11:40 PM

Are they not supposed to set an example? He should be charged the same as any other driver that did the same thing.

Medico · 05-29-2014, 06:03 AM

I can relate to the officer. Hitting an unexpected abnormal road condition can have unexpected results.

It is a minor miracle no one was seriously hurt. I'm glad I do not live in St. John's county because they will be purchasing a new truck and camper for this unlucky driver and his DW.

LeeRevell · 05-29-2014, 06:32 AM

Something like this always reminds me of those cheesy radio and TV ads, "Uh oh! Better get MAACO!" ;-)

flynnwalter · 05-29-2014, 06:58 AM

Franka
I strongly suspect the deputy involved will face more disciplinary action, both formal and informal, than any citizen who receives a ticket. I don't know about St John's Sheriff's, but of those departments issuing take home patrol cars, once you wreck yours then its replacement is likely to be slow in coming and not as nice as the one totaled. The deputy in charge of issuing new vehicles will have a long memory concerning the issuance of new cars to those who have destroyed one previously. My experience operating a take home cruiser ended long before all the computer and other electronics were routinely fitted to each patrol car, making a wreck even more expensive to the agency. Of course the Sheriff will have to pay for the truck and trailer, too.
It would be similar to the average citizen having repercussions at his/her job after having an accident. But I do understand the antipathy directed toward law enforcement. Its a very American attitude. Thank Goodness no one appears to have been hurt.
Frank W. 09 Cayman
Lake City, Florida

Maladjusted · 05-29-2014, 07:09 AM

"The deputy, 23-year-old Bray Taylor, was driving in emergency mode with his marked patrol car's lights and siren on when he struck a large puddle of water on a curve and lost control of his vehicle."

This situation is not the same as a civilian losing control due to wreckless driving or some other controllable situation.

The officer was responding to an emergency. If it was an emergency involving your son or daughter drowning or a parent suffering a heart attack, would you want that officer to drive slowly and with great caution?

The officer did not intentionally wreck the tow vehicle and camper... It was an unfortunate accident. I am glad everyone is ok.

Not to stir the pot.. but why didn't the Silverado driver immediately stop and pull to the shoulder when the siren was heard and the lights were visable?

I am not a LEO nor a first responder, but I do have tremendous respect for the work these men and women do... I will do everything possible to give them the room they need to respond in an emergency.

Mal

NFlcamper · 05-29-2014, 07:23 AM

It was an accident and it happened on a curve. The driver of the truck probably didn't have enough warning to slow down in order to move over for the emergency vehicle. I didn't post this to cause controversy, I just wanted to show what can happen and for everyone to be safety minded.

stik · 05-29-2014, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flynnwalter

Franka
But I do understand the antipathy directed toward law enforcement. Its a very American attitude. Thank Goodness no one appears to have been hurt.
Frank W. 09 Cayman
Lake City, Florida

Now,see, I DON'T understand the antipathy toward law enforcement. I can see convicted felons, drug dealers, criminals of a general nature, etc not liking law enforcement, but the average law abiding American having an anti-cop attitude baffles me. And while you say it is a "very typical American" attitude, I really don't believe it is all that prevalent.

VAParrothead · 05-29-2014, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stik

Now,see, I DON'T understand the antipathy toward law enforcement. I can see convicted felons, drug dealers, criminals of a general nature, etc not liking law enforcement, but the average law abiding American having an anti-cop attitude baffles me. And while you say it is a "very typical American" attitude, I really don't believe it is all that prevalent.

I don't either. My experience is that, while there are some bad apples, most police are good people who have a tough job I don't think most of use could (or would want to) handle day-to-day.

laj · 05-29-2014, 01:28 PM

this clown should be cited for failure to maintain control of a motor vehicle, reckless driving, and reckless endangerment, he should be stripped of all entitlements. he should also be banned from ever working as an leo in the US. there is never a reason to endanger another human no matter what the reason is.

those poor people deserved none of what they got and i hope they take him and the office to the cleaners. ridicules.