A Montgomery County police officer who hit and paralyzed a Clarksburg boy with his cruiser received a $185 speeding ticket and is now canvassing neighborhoods that show spikes in crime.
Meanwhile, 14-year-old Luis Jovel Jr. is a quadriplegic with permanent brain damage who needs around-the-clock medical care for the smallest of tasks, including eating and getting dressed.
State officials won't say whether Officer Jason Cokinos was disciplined following the April 2008 incident in Clarksburg.
"Personnel information is subject to [state] confidentiality laws," said Patricia Via, who represented Montgomery County in the Jovel family's civil lawsuit against the county and Cokinos.
Cokinos' case qualified under the state's confidentiality laws once the county police department's internal affairs division became involved, said Lt. Paul Starks, spokesman for Montgomery police.
"When the case is referred to the Internal Affairs Division, it's considered a personnel matter," he said.
Cokinos, who was 23 at the time, was speeding at 56 miles an hour in a 30-mile-an-hour zone when he struck Luis -- who was crossing Springtown Road in front of his home.
Seven months later in November, a Montgomery County District Court judge found Cokinos not guilty of negligent driving or contributing to an accident.
Cokinos then pleaded guilty to driving 26 miles-per-hour over the limit and he paid a $185 fine, including a $25 court fee.
A police investigation concluded that the boy would not have been hit had Cokinos been traveling at the speed limit.
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Meanwhile, 14-year-old Luis Jovel Jr. is a quadriplegic with permanent brain damage who needs around-the-clock medical care for the smallest of tasks, including eating and getting dressed.
State officials won't say whether Officer Jason Cokinos was disciplined following the April 2008 incident in Clarksburg.
"Personnel information is subject to [state] confidentiality laws," said Patricia Via, who represented Montgomery County in the Jovel family's civil lawsuit against the county and Cokinos.
Cokinos' case qualified under the state's confidentiality laws once the county police department's internal affairs division became involved, said Lt. Paul Starks, spokesman for Montgomery police.
"When the case is referred to the Internal Affairs Division, it's considered a personnel matter," he said.
Cokinos, who was 23 at the time, was speeding at 56 miles an hour in a 30-mile-an-hour zone when he struck Luis -- who was crossing Springtown Road in front of his home.
Seven months later in November, a Montgomery County District Court judge found Cokinos not guilty of negligent driving or contributing to an accident.
Cokinos then pleaded guilty to driving 26 miles-per-hour over the limit and he paid a $185 fine, including a $25 court fee.
A police investigation concluded that the boy would not have been hit had Cokinos been traveling at the speed limit.
More from the Washington Examiner
5 comments:
"civil servants" have long gotten preferential treatment in our court systems. It's laughable what they are able to get away with nearly scot-free. Welcome to America.
11:29 Anon-
You are correct. Happens here locally too. What ever happened to the officer in Delmar who was drunk and left his car? Nothing!
I stated back when that happened that it would be covered up, and guess what?!
that is twisted....the special driving skills test allows them to do that.they are special...not.
How is nearly doubling the speed limit not negligent?
6:44 that's what I was trying to figure out! If the person who did this was an ordinary citizen, they would be in jail! Does the officer have to give a portion of his pay to his victim? He should have to.
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