[UPDATE: CHP Adds Their Version of Events] Pedestrian and Child Struck by Fortuna PD Car, Sent to Hospital
The following is a press release from the Fortuna Police Department:
FORTUNA, CA- On May 29, 2015 at about 4 PM, an officer with the Fortuna Police Department, driving a police patrol vehicle, had stopped at the intersection of 15th and Main St in the City of Fortuna. The officer began to make a right hand turn onto Main St. when he collided into a pedestrian. The pedestrian was pushing a stroller with a small child.
The pedestrian and child each received very minor scratches and were later transported to the hospital by a Fortuna Police Sergeant as a precaution.
This collision is being investigated by the California Highway Patrol.
UPDATE 7:09 P.M.: Press release provided by the California Highway Patrol:
In the late afternoon of Friday, May 29, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Humboldt Area responded to an injury traffic collision involving a Fortuna Police Department patrol vehicle and a mother and her stroller which contained her two year old boy.
At approximately 4:02 p.m., 29 year old Erin Hudson of Fortuna was pushing her stroller with her 2 year old boy in the crosswalk at the intersection of 15th Street at Main Street. Fortuna Police Officer Erler was driving his patrol vehicle on 15th going northbound approaching Main Street. Prior to the collision, Officer Erler brought his patrol vehicle to a stop at the intersection. The officer looked to his right and then to his left. Officer Erler observed a vehicle approaching from his left on Main Street going eastbound. Meanwhile while the vehicle was driving eastbound in front of the patrol vehicle, Erin Hudson entered the crosswalk with the stroller from the east and began walking in a westerly direction. The officer began to drive forward and he suddenly observed Hudson and the stroller. The officer applied his brakes as the patrol vehicle’s front push bumper knocked the mother and stroller to the ground. The mother and child sustained minor injuries as a result of the collision. They were transported by the Fortuna Police Department to Redwood Memorial Hospital for treatment. The CHP Humboldt Area office is investigating this collision.
The public is encouraged to call 9-1-1 if they suspect a drunk driver. Callers should be prepared to provide the vehicle’s description, license plate number, location, and direction of travel.
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It’s not like they were in a crosswalk at a Stop Sign or anything, I wonder if the Police Sergent who took them to the Hospital had a Car Seat for the Child he was transporting?
Someone who said they were at the hospital when the mother and child arrived with the officer made a point of mentioning there was no car seat in the vehicle. Curiouser & curiouser..
what an interesting way to end the statement …… ?????,,,,,,,
I smell a law suit, this cop should be forced to pay for damages out of his own funds not ours!
Open your eyes copper, you cant just run mothers with children over you jackass!
Just curious if he was texting or talking on a cell phone because the law allows him to. Can’t count the times I’ve seen the CHP flying down the freeway chatting on a cell.
Dunno….
You know, cops are people too. They make mistakes just like everyone else.
So one or both parties might share in the bad decision of A) pedestrian crosses the street ASSUMING traffic will stop, B) car goes thru intersection ASSUMING pedestrian saw them and won’t cross the street. I see a lot of A everywhere I go. No one looks when they cross like they should. Never ASSUME anything. I know, it’s a cliche’, but it is true.