Attention

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not represent our advertisers

Sunday, September 04, 2011

Maryland Trooper Strikes, Kills Delaware Woman

STEVENSVILLE, Md. (AP) - A Maryland state trooper driving to a crime scene has struck and killed a Delaware woman who apparently stepped into the path of the patrol car in Queen Anne's County.

Maryland State Police says 29-year-old Iraina Curtis of Dover, Del., was killed in the crash. It happened just before 9 p.m. Friday on an access ramp off Route 50 in Stevensville.

More

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sorry, same results had it been a train.

Anonymous said...

I am not criticizing Troopers but maybe their management particularly on the Eastern Shore. There has been a pattern of Troopers killing innocent victims over the last few years in instances where unsafe speeds were not warranted. The Vienna area stands out. How can we apply speed cameras to the Capital Beltway but somehow not to Route 50? There is absolutely NO reason for a Trooper to speed in order to catch a speeding offender.

There are still too many unanswered questions for the Stevensville incident. There was a "guest" passenger in the Troopers car (why?) and a nearly NO information related to the "crime scene" he was heading to. A "burglary in progress" could be little more than robbing a 10 cent gum machine.

A life was wasted when maybe it should never have been.

Anonymous said...

wonder if the troopers name was corey skidmore? no he only ges other officers killed due to his recklessness

Anonymous said...

Was he traveling at a high rate of speed while responding? If so, lights and a siren could have alerted other motorists and pedestrians. Sometimes officials act as though they think the law and safety precautions only apply to others.

Anonymous said...

The woman got off the barrier wall to make a phone call. The cop had no lights or siren on.

They are both at fault but the cop more so.

Anonymous said...

I would think a trooper responding to a burglary in progess would not have neither lights or siren on as not to alert the burglar.
Why would anyone be sitting on a jersey wall to begin with? Usually there is hardly any room for a vehicle when those things are up, much less a pedestrian. I hate driving along side those things.

Anonymous said...

I would think a trooper responding to a burglary in progess would not have neither lights or siren on as not to alert the burglar.

How else would he alert anyone of his presence? He can turn lights and/or siren off when he gets closer to the scene.

Anonymous said...

There simply isn't enough info available to determine fault. A law enforcement officer, under state law, need only have a siren on if violating traffic law while rsponding to a call. The agency may have a different policy but state law says a siren should be on. BUT...he may not have been speeding. What is someone doing standing in the travel portion of a roadway while making a phone call? Just not enough info available here to place blame.

Anonymous said...

How do you know that's not what he did, 10:29? It's my understanding he was just about on the scene, at the shopping center just on the east bound side of the Bay Bridge, coming down the ramp that runs right in front of the shopping center.

Anonymous said...

The cop should be prosecuted for vehicular manslaughter and get the maximum penalty under the law. They are to protect and serve, NOT kill! There is no excuse for this officer, none! To let him go will be a travesty of justice and a double standard that should not be acceptable. If you can't drive safely, get a job at WalMart as a greeter. That goes for all police officers who speed all day long and for the EMS personnel who drive like maniacs on our streets. You never hurt or kill anyone on the way to help or save someone! Never!

Anonymous said...

2:31- The pedestrian walked right into the road in front of the police car. The police can't win. They get complaints for not getting to a call quickly and then when someone walks in the road right in front of them you want to prosecute for manslaughter. Give me a break! Get all the facts and think before you make irresponsible statements. You would sing a different tune is someone walked in the path of your car and that's the truth about the real double standard.

lmclain said...

Well, for all those talkng about "getting your facts", it would be nice if the public MASTERS actually RELEASED some "facts". "We, the people" only get information about criminal activities of the police when the POLICE think we need to know, or can't help us finding out. And the "double standard" is just THAT. WE better obey the laws. Or else. We aren't allowed to have our Constitutional rights (free speech, assembly, bear arms, etc.) unless the police say its okay with THEM. However, as a cop, you can speed as fast as you like, chat away with your wife on your cell while weaving through traffic, KILL people and call it an "unfortunate accident" (no fault of your own, of course, of course). If he was speeding on the way to a crime scene (their description) and didn't have his lights on, AND then killed a pedestrian, sounds like vehicular manslaughter to me. He'll probably get promoted to lieutenant.

Anonymous said...

The same people that say it's the tourist fault when they jay walk in ocean city and get hit are the same ones that are here saying it was the policeman fault. Roads are for CARS....sidewalks are for people.

Anonymous said...

she was probably trying to get some more checks by suing the police after they hit her; typical among the criminal element. BUT, SHE hit the lotto to death instead...

Cops should run over more deadbeats and save our tax money!

Anonymous said...

How do you know that's not what he did, 10:29?

Since I wasn't there, I don't know.

However, what I have read states that he didn't have lights OR siren on.

I also stated they were both at fault but the cop more so.

He is a policeman. He is trained how to drive in emergency situations.

Like someone has mentioned, there isn't enough information to deduce what happened.

I really wasn't trying to rag on the cop. He will have to live with this the rest of his life and career.

I think that's about all I have to say about this situation.

R.I.P. dear woman.

Get some counseling Mr. Officer. I'm sure it's eating you up inside.

Peace.