DaddyJama

florida rules
http://pursuitwatch.org/stories/FHP_haywood.htm


Motorcyclist faces prison for causing trooper's death


DAYTONA BEACH -- A high-speed pursuit on Interstate 4 last year between a motorcyclist and a Florida Highway Patrol trooper lasted only minutes and ended when the trooper's patrol car crashed into a tree.
The motorcyclist, Donald Williams, could now face up to 60 years in prison for causing the trooper's death.
A Volusia jury deliberated for three hours Tuesday and convicted the Hillsborough County man of aggravated manslaughter, vehicular homicide and fleeing and eluding a law-enforcement officer and causing a death.
He will be sentenced later.
Trooper Darryl Haywood, 49, was pursuing Williams on Oct. 2, 2004, with their speeds topping 100 mph, until Haywood's Chevrolet Camaro sustained a tire blowout, spun, struck another car and then crashed into a pine tree.
Haywood had joined the highway patrol in 2000 after retiring from a 20-year career with the New York Police Department. He was the 39th trooper killed in the line of duty.
Surrounded by family and friends, his widow, Linda Haywood, wept quietly as the verdict was read, and said she was grateful to prosecutors and the witnesses who helped in the case.
"I thank the witnesses who came forward on behalf of Darryl because this is all about Darryl," Linda Haywood said, fighting back tears. "Victory isn't always sweet, and I understand that another family has suffered because of the events that occurred.
"But when you commit a bad act, you have to be held accountable," she continued. "Now he will be held accountable for the death of my husband, who was doing his job, a job he loved very, very much."
Williams' defense attorney, Leon Jones of Tampa, said he was speechless.
"The jury had a very difficult task. We were hoping they would see the scenario where Trooper Haywood, a good man, made a mistake," Jones said.
The central question in the case, as Jones and Assistant State Attorney Celeste Gagne said in their closing arguments, was who was responsible for Haywood's fatal crash.
Jones had tried to place the blame on Haywood, arguing that the trooper didn't have to pursue Williams at speeds over 100 mph.
Jones pointed out that in Haywood's last radio transmission, there isn't an audible siren wail. Jones argued that meant that Haywood broke off the pursuit about three miles before the fatal accident, and that Haywood didn't need to continue the high speeds or didn't need to split traffic or drive into the emergency lane.
"He chose to do that," Jones said. "He didn't need to do that. It was his choice."
The jury apparently took note of his argument and during deliberations asked to listen to Haywood's radio call a couple of times.
Gagne argued that Williams caused the fatal crash with his reckless behavior during the pursuit.
About 15 witnesses testified to seeing some part of the chase and described Williams speeding, weaving in and out of traffic and using the emergency lanes to pass. Many witnesses said they saw the motorcyclist speed by and then saw the trooper's marked Camaro, with its lights flashing and siren blaring, as close as 15 seconds behind. At least three witnesses testified that the motorcyclist briefly turned around to check on the trooper.
Gagne said Williams' driving posed a safety risk to everyone on the highway that day, to the point that he was grossly negligent and caused the fatal crash. "There were numerous people who were exposed to his dangerousness, but it was Trooper Haywood who suffered the ultimate consequences," Gagne said.

DaddyJama

http://pursuitwatch.org/stories/progressive.htm

look for the chart..tells you how fast the cops go to catch up with you

motopsyko32

excellent post

GSXRkid

That is a bunch of BS. There is a reason that most departments have no chase policies on motorcycles. Cars aren't meant for doing speeds of over 100 for long periods of time.

My big question is Why the trooper was out in car that could potentially have a blowout? If I was the car that got hit I would be suing the police department for letting a tire blowout and causing an accident. That is about the same as charging the motorcyclist for a cops mistake.

cbr9two9guy

They are lucky he was the only one killed.. and not innocent bystanders from the negligence of the troopers chase.

NINER

I thought Fl had a no chase policy? Or is that just Orlando? In O-town I was advised to gas it for 2 miles if a car creeped up fast with no lights on. Reason is the cops don't hit their lights because it turns on their camera and there is a no chase policy.

motopsyko32

o3r1dynoed

why should they keep up good maintenance on there stuff when they can just charge people and say its their fault when things go wrong and people die or get hurt

Bwolosz

I got an awsome BJ last night. :YEAH

Duke Nukem

Good, there is one last cop to go kill people on high speed chases. I feel safer now.:YEAH :YEAH

Why risk lives on a high speed chase to stop someone for a traffic violation. Isn't the whole thing ironic in the first place. We cant speed or we'll get a ticket because it endangers others, but a cop can go 150mph with no lights on to chase you for the same thing endangering everyone around, himself and the suspect.

chillyzf4i

i was wondering where niner was

NINER

Negative.

636stunter06

thats bs ftp cops are some of the dumbest & ignorant ppl ever they think they are above the law well not this time the smart thing should have been radioed ahead if the cop wanted him so bad hmmmmm lets see whats faster bike or radio i choose the radio personally if i was a cop i would have never tried to stop him we had the same situation like 10yrs ago happen in jersey the state trooper thought he could go 100mph around a turn cause the bike did it but he lost it in the turn & wrapped his car around a tree havent the police learned anything from other experiences i guess not & they never will but then to blame the biker ppl make decisions this time the cop made a bad one ftp

Bwolosz

Suicidl

very true

i lost one by taking him high speed around the block he was drifting the corners and everything until he saw a regular car at a stop sign i went through about 120:YEAH

ratfink1970

im a little suprised that he is being charged if the cop signed on to do that job its his fault that it happined and his choice to chase a motorcycle what a tard

NINER

It may have been you who told me that.

Suicidl

he was charged and got 25 years

o3r1dynoed

that sucks man! I just ran fri afternoon,did well but im glad he didnt run over sum farm animal or sumthin , could face 20-life-cuz i was in the middle of nowhere doin 20-over n didnt want 4 points for it!