Police in Tennessee said that a woman stole a patrol car and crashed it into a string of other vehicles, killing one person and injuring four more. The fatal automobile accident reportedly occurred as the women hijacked the police car while in the process of being taken into custody. She was charged with vehicular homicide, theft, felony fleeing and violation of probation. Her bond was set at $402,500. Police did not yet know if she was on drugs or drunk at the time of the incident.
The 49-year-old woman was reportedly being arrested in the parking lot of a Dollar General store when she fled in the police car. Authorities said that she then crashed the patrol cruiser into another car, killing a 55-year-old man and injuring four others. The victim was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the wreck, but police said that it wouldn’t have made a difference, considering the force of the crash’s impact.
According to family members, the woman was taken to a local hospital with burns and a broken leg, but her injuries were not life-threatening. They described her as a habitual offender who had done time for theft as well as drug and alcohol charges. Upon the woman’s release, she was arrested and taken to jail, where she would recuperate from her injuries.
Tennessee families dealing with a death or severe injuries as a result of a car accident often find the experience overwhelming. An attorney who is experienced in litigation following a fatal car crash may be able to help those affected find closure and begin the road to healing. Such a lawyer may be able to arrange financial compensation for damages such as funeral expenses, medical costs, and pain and suffering.
Source: WHNT, “Woman charged following incident involving stolen police car in Fayetteville“, Matt Kroschel, Carri Walters, and Laura Christmas, September 04, 2013