Harmful pursuits
Published: Tue, Jun. 06, 2006 12:00AM
Modified Tue, Jun. 06, 2006 08:50AM
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closeRegarding the June 3 article "Fleeing driver dies in wreck near RDU":
Apparently the consequence in North Carolina for refusal to heed police blue lights is the summary imposition of the death penalty. Frequently a death sentence is also given to innocent bystanders and/or motorists who happen to get in the way of vehicles involved in high-speed chases.
While the decision to elude blue lights is foolish and irresponsible, it is usually undertaken by desperate, mentally ill and/or intoxicated drivers who react spontaneously and recklessly to a stressful situation. To chase such people only makes a dangerous situation worse.
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It is the sober, clear-headed Highway Patrol troopers (and other police officers involved) who I hold directly responsible for the deaths last week of Alecyn Elizabeth Ross and Christopher Watson. I also hold police responsible for the others injured during those high-speed pursuits.
Police policy states officers must weigh the dangers of the suspect's escape against the possibility that the wreck will hurt someone else. On our densely packed highways and roads, there can rarely if ever be a high-speed chase that meets such strict criteria.
Clearly the police are not following their own policy. It is time for the General Assembly to step in and rewrite the laws to protect the public from injury and death from high speed chases.
Patrick O'Neill
Garner
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