If the police are chasing a car, and someone dies, not caused by the one being c

1. 52

   bradmasterOCcalposted 8 years ago

   If the police are chasing a car, and someone dies, not caused by the one being chased,
   
   who is to blame? Say that during the chase one of the police cars are hit, or hit another car and someone dies, is the person being chased responsible for vehicular manslaughter?
   Remember in S CA we have dozens of police pursuing drivers during a chase.
   Pursuing these drivers puts the public at risk, so shouldn't the police have a safer tactic, especially when they have air cover, and a fleet of the media copters pursuing the chase.
   To find the person guilty is like pursuing the felony murder rule, to a non intentional crime.

   replyreport
2. 44

   Ericdierkerposted 8 years ago

   They just held a man liable and sentenced to 12 years because a cop was hurrying to non life threatening accidents that the drunken driver had caused and someone in the nearly unrelated accident was killed.
   That goes too far.
   Expanding our felony murder rule to a response to a MV accident is just to much. Especially when the GBH or Death happens after the commission of an arguable felony driving matter.
   During a chase at least makes it a bit more palatable, but not much.

   replyreport
3. 64

   Tusitala Tomposted 8 years ago

   The business of whether police should pursue, or head off and stop, a fleeing vehicle has been with us for years.   What is the answer?   Are the police expected to have a policy of, "Well, the car's speeding.  I will have to speed to catch it (or head it off) This could be a danger to myself and to others SO I HAD BETTER LET IT GO."
   
   With such a policy many drivers would choose to simply speed away to avoid capture.   "I don't want to pay that fine...."
   
   You could say, "Well, why don't they dash-cam the speeding car's number plate?"   But that would only help if the car wasn't stolen or carrying false plates.
   
   Besides, who knows what and who might be in the car.   It could be a wanted criminal.  It could be a kidnapping case.  It could be someone running narcotics.   Sure, mostly it's not.  But generally if a person attempts to escape the police they're doing so because they've broken the law in some way.   With flashing lights and siren behind them they know they should stop.
   
   No, despite how bad the present policy of chase and catch is, I cannot see any real alternative.

   replyreport
   1. 52

      bradmasterOCcalposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Tom
      There are many alternatives, and consider that many of these chases last for hours, and thousands of innocent drivers are in peril. Most of these chases have air support, and a fleet of news copters. The level of the crime s also be taken into ac

      replyreport
   2. 64

      Tusitala Tomposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      How can you stop a car from a Helicopter - short of firing a rocket at it, I mean.   If the car is stolen, the number plates don't help catch an  offender.   Photograph of offender?  A long, long shot.  Stand by my remarks.

      replyreport
   3. 52

      bradmasterOCcalposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Tom
      The police helicopters, and the news helicopters can keep track of the suspect day or night, and track him or her. You evidently don't live in S California, otherwise you might be a little more concerned about high speed chases.

      replyreport