Former officer to blame for fatal car accident in Massachusetts?

Police officers are sometimes idolized throughout the United States for upholding the law and protecting citizens of our nation. This can be a problem when a current or former officer makes a mistake that has serious consequences for those involved. Suddenly the public’s idea of law enforcement can become opaque and it may be hard to understand how someone who formerly protected the public might have been responsible for someone’s serious injury. Unfortunately, one former police officer in Massachusetts is facing charges for his alleged involvement in a hit-and-run car accident.

The accident took place on March 19 at around 6 a.m. when officials claim the man struck a pedestrian. Emergency personnel arrived at the scene of the accident soon after it took place and rushed the victim to the hospital. The victim suffered from life-threatening injuries that placed him in critical condition, but the person’s current condition is unknown.

The driver of the vehicle supposedly struck the victim, drove a short distance away, checked his car and then drove off. The former officer told Massachusetts police that he did not see anything out of the ordinary when he got out of his car and decided to keep driving. The driver is now facing charges for his involvement in the car accident.

Regardless of whether the man is found criminally liable for his involvement in the car accident, the victim may have the right to seek monetary compensation in a civil court. Compensation could be used to pay for any of the hospital bills that are received because of the accident and supplement the victim’s income if they are unable to work. Hopefully, this would allow the victim to focus on healing and returning to their normal routine more quickly.

Source: WCVB, Retired Cambridge officer faces charges in hit-and-run crash, No author, March 20, 2014