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Police officers and state troopers face danger on an almost daily basis on the roads of Virginia from careless, reckless, distracted or drunk drivers.
In some cases officers are hurt by drivers who are deliberately speeding in an attempt to elude the law. This scenario was recently highlighted in the Virginian-Pilot which noted a case in which a state trooper is suing a man who hit his police car during a 113 mph chase.
The report noted how Sgt. John E. Havrilla, a 13-year state police veteran, has returned to duties after recovering from injuries that kept him out of work for four months. The man he was in pursuit of was convicted in June of felony eluding police and destruction of property. He was also convicted earlier in the year of several misdemeanors stemming from the same incident including DUI, driving on a suspended license and three counts of disregarding a traffic light.
The facts filed in the criminal case stated the driver was heading south on Interstate 464 in the South Norfolk area of Chesapeake when a state trooper recorded him going at 79 mph in a 60 mph zone.
A state trooper tried to stop him but he accelerated up to 100 mph and left the interstate to get onto Military Highway where he drove through three red lights, according to documentation presented to the court.
Havrilla was ahead of the speeding driver in an unmarked patrol car with his lights and sirens on. The lawsuit said he was struck from behind at 113 mph and sent spinning into the patrol car of another state trooper.
Documents filed in Circuit Court said the state trooper sustained a concussion, back and head injuries and cuts to his right eye and hand. His attorney Michael Imprevento said the law recognizes the right of police to pursue legal action against people accused of causing harm to them. The lawsuit seeks $250,000 in compensatory damages and $250,000 in punitive damages.
Speed kills and this officer was lucky not to suffer even more serious injuries given the high speeds involved in this incident. If you attempt to evade the law, you are likely to face further trouble and other motorists, passengers or pedestrians can pay a high price.
Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers helps people who have been injured in car, truck or motorcycle accidents. If you have been injured, call us for a free consultation at 757.455.0077.