Police car hits pedestrian in Mishawaka

Tribune staff report

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By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Oct 13, 2008 at 8:12 AM EST

Story Updated: Oct 13, 2008 at 8:13 AM EST

MISHAWAKA — A man was taken to a hospital late Sunday after he was struck by a police car while crossing a street in downtown Mishawaka, police said.

According to Capt. Tim Spencer of the Mishawaka Police Department, the accident occurred shortly after 8 p.m. at the intersection of Third and Main streets.

A patrol car en route to a domestic disturbance call was headed south on Main Street, and turned left onto Third. At the same time, a male pedestrian was crossing Third headed north, and stepped into the path of the car.

The pedestrian, whose name was not released, was taken to St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The police officer, whose name was also not released, was not injured, and continued his shift. The accident remains under investigation.

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 4:39 PM David wrote ...

hey "reality check" have one of your relatives get hit by a police car, and see if YOU don't change your stance.

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 10:44 AM reality check wrote ...

everyone wants the police to slow down, everyone except the victim who is being battered during a domestic dispute who is praying the cops get there fast. the biggest complaint i hear is about cops taking so long to respond to calls. the second biggest complaint is cops drive too fast. you can't have it both ways. get a clue...

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 9:03 AM accidental, but... wrote ...

This man did not run into the car, the car hit him! He was already crossing the street when the cop came around the corner! Cops need to get a clue at intersections before someone gets killed.

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 8:10 AM David wrote ...

"To The Complainers" where in that story does it say the officer had his lights on? And since your on the subject of "being disrespected by citizens" what about when the police disrespect a citizen? is that ok? because it DOES go on. and what I think need to happen "to all the complainers" is, the police need to quit thinking the world revolves around them.

Monday, Oct 13 at 11:57 PM To The Complainers wrote ...

STOP Complaining! What is everyone going to do when all the good cops get tired of all your bashing and just quit? Do you think they enjoy being shot at, cursed at, and being disrespected? No, but they are out there anyway protecting your ungrateful behinds every day for low pay. Cops do have the right of way when they have their lights on, so you should be smart enough to look both ways before crossing the street and quit pretending the world revolves around you.

Monday, Oct 13 at 10:46 PM Cornfusion wrote ...

Psst... (whispering)Anny don't tell Tim, he'll go berserk!

Monday, Oct 13 at 6:24 PM Anonymous wrote ...

You know, it's no wonder why you all are for Obama. You're a bunch of facists!

Monday, Oct 13 at 5:42 PM TO ALL RIGHT AT 10:58 wrote ...

MY GRANDFATHER WAS CHIEF OF POLICE AND HE IS A GREAT MAN... AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN TROUBLE AND I CAN SAY NOW A DAYS POLICE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEIR UNIFORM... NOT ALL BUT MOST!!!!COME TO DOWAGIAC YOU'LL FIND OUT.

Monday, Oct 13 at 4:59 PM Anonymous wrote ...

anon at 3:43 you got us. (not) must be a dispatcher?

Monday, Oct 13 at 3:43 PM Anonymous wrote ...

My philosophy is, "what ever! I do what I want!" but sometimes the cops have gotten in my way; therefore I am going to pipe up on this forum and give a thumbs down to the cops. Oh, and I'm a no count midwestern jerk.

Monday, Oct 13 at 3:22 PM curious wrote ...

what would it be if it was a child that was hit? The same as any, inexcusable..........

Monday, Oct 13 at 2:51 PM Anonymous wrote ...

The police cars just fly down High St late at night.(obviously to Miami Hills, the place that needs to burn to the ground) Now if they can just cream a few of the "drug trash" we've been complaining about for years we'd have a happier community.

Monday, Oct 13 at 2:40 PM Anny wrote ...

accident Definition ac·ci·dent (ak′sə dənt) a happening that is not expected, foreseen, or intended an unpleasant and unintended happening, sometimes resulting from negligence, that results in injury, loss, damage, etc. fortune; chance to meet by accident an attribute or quality that is not essential Geog., Geol.- an irregular formation Law - an unforeseen event that occurs without anyone's fault or negligence.

Monday, Oct 13 at 2:13 PM C.O.P Criminal on payroll wrote ...

Hey the Mishawaka police are starting to catch up with the SBPD in cop on civilian crimes. They should merger the forces and create one big criminal enterprise. C.O.P. CRIMINALS ON PAYROLL.

Monday, Oct 13 at 2:05 PM Anonymous wrote ...

blah blah blah, same ole same ole, by the pride in blue!!!!

Monday, Oct 13 at 1:18 PM Pamela wrote ...

Has any ask how the pedestrian was doing. I'm sorry for his family and sorry a cop hit him in the process of going to answer a call. But the bottom line, it was no one's fault. Regardless how you look at the picture or incident. It was the pedestrian fault whether the police had the quiet siren on or off. The police in the United States are above the law, there is no fault in their actions. Do some research and you will find out. The police in the United States are paid criminals.

Monday, Oct 13 at 1:13 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Did Mr.WOW get the plate number on the police car? Remember that's all he need's. Please tell us that you are not running for office.

Monday, Oct 13 at 1:10 PM T C wrote ...

Look sometimes the officers ARE allowed to drive to a call (depending of what the circumstances were when they were called), w/o sirens and lights. But still not just one person is to blame here. Things happen, and I have been guilty of darn near hitting someone crossing the street, it's called a BLIND SPOT!! maybe they both are at fault. Please just ease up, we weren't there. plus there IS and investigation already in process. So let the proper authoities do their jobs.

Monday, Oct 13 at 12:54 PM jrk - to continued wrote ...

It's not what police do that disturbs people, it's how they do it that is disturbing.

Monday, Oct 13 at 12:41 PM A Marine Mom wrote ...

COME ON?!?!? Get off your high horses people.These guys and gals put their lives on the line EVERY time they go to work all for the common good of us citizens,do you?Get a grip and get real,some of you are acting as if the police officer intentionally hit someone.And another thing, if you're not going to read the article,the WHOLE thing,don't make stupid comments.Domestic disturbance call,anything from a small arguement to someone shooting and killing their wife and kids.

Monday, Oct 13 at 12:36 PM SUSAN HOOLEY wrote ...

It is sad when things like this happen. I think it is important that not only vehicles should stop and pull over when they hear sirens but pedestrians should stop in their tracks too.

Monday, Oct 13 at 12:16 PM amazing wrote ...

how many of you cop bashers actually have apllauded the work they did catching the bank robber this morning? well if u did you probably wont see it i guess 22 only likes cop bashers. i wrote something to congratulate them and no surprise it didnt get posted

Monday, Oct 13 at 12:11 PM Frank wrote ...

Why the lack of civility and logic in the discussions? Let's stick with the reported facts of the story please, and not make any additional all-encompassing assumptions. We're not five-year-olds. The fact that other police officers appear to drive recklessly doesn't mean that the officer in the story was. To avoid these accidents like this one in the future, both officers and pedestrians have to exercise more caution.

Monday, Oct 13 at 11:38 AM devine wrote ...

We complian when the police don't get their fast enough for us but yet we complain when something like this happens. Make up our minds! If I remember right arn't we all (walking, driving, on bikes) suppose to pay attention when we here sirens? Are we suppose to be driving with our radio's blaring or headphones on while driving or walking near a road so in case there be siren's we can watch out for them? What would have happen if this was a police chase, no one is at mercy then, do we blam copsto

Monday, Oct 13 at 11:22 AM ok........ "just me" wrote ...

And you are so sure it was to get to a restaurant. I will humor you though, how do you know that it was not because a silent alarm was pulled due to the fact that your cousin was robbing the place.

Monday, Oct 13 at 11:13 AM Hey Corny wrote ...

Then what is your definition of an "accident"?

Monday, Oct 13 at 11:04 AM Continued... wrote ...

I am sick and **** tired of the people who come on these posts, like vultures, waiting for the first opportunity to see a story like this. "Oh, goodie! Let's bash the cops!!" The article clearly states the man walked out in front of the Officer. As soon as I saw the headline, I knew this would happen. And I feel WSBT knew it, too. You people haven't a clue as to what we do, when we do it, or how we do it. You just "know" that whatever the heck we do is wrong. Clueless, all of you.

Monday, Oct 13 at 11:03 AM fed up wrote ...

I too am fed up with cops driving like maniacs! I have feared for my children's safety after seeing how they rip through these side streets in Mishawaka. And don't you just love how the article blames the pedestrian saying that he "stepped into the path of the car". (rolleyes)

Monday, Oct 13 at 10:58 AM All right.... wrote ...

WSBT, you know good and well this is going to turn into a cop bashing session. This is ridiculous and you know most of the posts are going to be from people who do not understand the way law enforcement works, are in trouble with the police, or have been in the past. To tired of cowboy cops, the only time they will go thru without stopping is when they are on the way to a call. To Antonio Hannah, (by the way, where did you come up with that name?) If he gave you a dirty look, you deserved it.

Monday, Oct 13 at 10:49 AM Mish Resident wrote ...

Tired please read the story, the officer was in route to a disturbance, which typically means lights and sirens on. The last I heard that meant he had the right of way.

Monday, Oct 13 at 10:31 AM jrk wrote ...

I live on Dubail and there are police cars zipping down my block between 60-70 mph all the time. On last Thursday at 5:00 or so, a NEST car flew past me within inches of striking me while I was crossing the street, so, in the few seconds it took me to cross, he had came to a stop sign, turned left onto Dubail and accelerated with his traction controlled car at maximum speed. I don't mind the cops going fast if needed, with lights going, but I always thought police had to follow the limit without

Monday, Oct 13 at 10:30 AM just me wrote ...

I agree!!!more time then not i see officers racing through light just to get to a restaurant..ridiculous!!!

Monday, Oct 13 at 10:30 AM FRANK wrote ...

I'M SURE IT WAS THE PEDESTRIANS FAULT. IF HE WASN'T WALKING ANYWHERE THIS WOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED. I WONDER WHAT THE CHARGES WILL BE?

Monday, Oct 13 at 10:28 AM TO tired of cowboy wrote ...

You just wait till you need help and wish those cops would just hurry and get there. Sometimes they are required to get there without lights and sirens. Did your momma tell you to go across the street and not look for cars. That is what they called it an ACCIDENT...

Monday, Oct 13 at 10:22 AM Frank wrote ...

Fair reporting, please. The pedestrian has the right of way, and the police car turned into the pedestrian. The only way the pedestrian could have stepped into the path of the car would have been if the car were going straight. This is the police officer's fault, but the darkness was an obvious contributing factor. Headlights do not illuminate to the side, so this accident can happen easily. Let's hope the pedestrian recovers quickly.

Monday, Oct 13 at 10:21 AM Cynic wrote ...

I agree with Tired. Its disgusting the way these cops drive around with bright flashing lights and a blaring siren to warn of their approach. Pedestrians have every right to wander into the road without looking and not have to worry about being hit by stupid vehicles !! Back in the day cops used to WALK to incidents and they had whistles too, a gentler time I think.

Monday, Oct 13 at 10:17 AM Anonymous wrote ...

I'll bet you wouldn't be saying that if it was your emergency they were on their way too!

Monday, Oct 13 at 10:10 AM Why does this not suprise me? wrote ...

They always think that they are above the law. I see officers all the time turn their lights on to get through a intersection. This is a prime example of why they have laws as well.

Monday, Oct 13 at 10:09 AM Anonymous wrote ...

slow down?? Do you know how many times i've seen people walking across the street just dart out in front of traffic? What is happening to this country?! We're turning into a bunch of non-responsible, blame the government people! GROW UP! Take responsibility! I'm sick of this!

Monday, Oct 13 at 10:09 AM cowboy cops? wrote ...

I imagine you would also be the first to complain if you had called for an officer for assistance and thought it took way too long for them to respond. This does not excuse them from using due regard while performing their jobs but they are, like you and I, human and are prone to make a mistake or have an accident. It is traggic when someone gets injured and I'm sure we all hope for a quick and speedy recovery for the pedestrian.

Monday, Oct 13 at 10:08 AM Anonymous wrote ...

If you hear a siren, please stay alert. I bet this man was not paying attention. He probably had is IPOD up full blast. Why are you people always ready to critize the police.

Monday, Oct 13 at 10:05 AM Cornfusion wrote ...

This guy is open game because the story includes the safe phrase, 'NON-LIFE THREATENING INJURIES'! So I'll bet it still took an hour to get a cop on the seen! AND THIS WAS NO ACCIDENT! This was avoidable! The cop wasn't paying attention, the pedestrian wasn't walking defensively and the domestic duo that got the ball rolling ALL made conscience decisions that led to this tragedy! This was NOT an ACCIDENT! If you don't agree just go ask Tim because he says accidents are unavoidable and this was!

Monday, Oct 13 at 10:04 AM ; - ( " Tired of cowboy..." wrote ...

You won't be saying that when you "need" those cowboy cops.. will ya 9:12, oh no, then it will be " Why didn't they get there faster !!! To solve my problems... ;-( boo hoo.. I hope the peerson hurt is okay, these things happen..

Monday, Oct 13 at 9:40 AM Antonio Hannah wrote ...

My comment is in regards to police officer's and their driving behavior. This morning a Police officer with his children in his police car glared at me because I allowed another vehicle in front of me to proceed out of a parking lot that I was waiting to enter. The Cop gave me a dirty look, he was not on duty, unless he sneaks and takes his children to school while in uniform. All I know is that the S.B.P.D. need to realize that the car, gun and badge does not place them above civilians.

Monday, Oct 13 at 9:12 AM Tired of cowboy cops! wrote ...

These cops really need to slow down and pay attention! More times than not I see them speed through intersections without even slowing down or looking! Even they are not above the law!!! I hope this poor pedestrian is ok.

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