A police patrol car has been involved in a crash with a civilian vehicle – the second involving officers in just two weeks.
The latest accident happened as officers using lights and siren were responding to an incident.
A passenger in the civilian car suffered a head injury and was treated at the scene by a paramedic but declined further medical attention.
The two vehicles were in collision at the intersection of Shedden Road and North Sound Road and the police car suffered damage to the rear right side and the other car sustained damage to the front.
A police spokesman said the drivers of the vehicles were breath-tested and both passed.
The crash, which happened at about midnight on Sunday, 17 May, is being investigated by the roads policing unit and the Ombudsman, Sharon Roulstone, has been notified of the incident.
The Ombudsman has already launched an inquiry into another crash between a police car and a vehicle being driven by a member of the public.
The smash happened on Bodden Town Road, near Monument Road, as a police car was responding to an emergency call using its lights and siren.
The other vehicle pulled out and turned right on the the road and the police car was in collision with the right side of the vehicle.
Both vehicles suffered extensive damage in the crash, which happened at about 9.30pm on Sunday, 3 May.
The drivers of the two vehicles were taken to the Anthony S. Eden Hospital where they underwent treatment for “non-life-threatening injuries” and discharged.
The Office of the Ombudsman later appealed for any witnesses, particularly those that might have video footage of the incident or of vehicles that were in the area at the time, to contact the office.
The Ombudsman added staff also wanted to talk to the driver of a third vehicle, thought to be a black Honda Fit, which was also involved.
The office explained the Ombudsman had launched an independent “own motion investigation” into the actions of the police officers involved because of public interest generated by police press releases and media reports.
Police also issued a warning to drivers to drivers that they must give way to emergency vehicles on a call.
Cayman’s Road Code highlights that the Traffic Law (2011) rules that other road users must “give right of way to emergency vehicles and other vehicles used by officials prescribed in regulations made under this law”.
The same legislation also places a broad duty on drivers to “avoid obstructing other vehicles whether the vehicle under control is moving or stationary”.
The Traffic Act states that drivers should pull into the side of the road if emergency vehicles with lights and sirens come up behind them and “if necessary come to and remain at a halt until the emergency vehicle has proceeded on its way or has stopped”.
The legislation says, “Emergency vehicles are defined … to mean any fire engine, ambulance or police vehicle actually engaged upon its duties.”
Anyone with information on the 3 May crash can contact Deputy Ombudsman Shamique Frederick at [email protected] or investigator Steve McEwan at [email protected], or by phone at 946-6283.
Related Videos
