RPD officer spared injury as parked cruiser struck

By: 
Steve Chapman

With officer inside, airbags deploy on parked cop car as it’s hit by oncoming car near train tracks
 
A parked Republic Police cruiser was struck in an incident Saturday, Feb. 27, at around 8:30 a.m.
Mike Landis, public information officer for the City of Republic, said the crash occurred near the intersection of Route MM and Farm Road 168 while the vehicle was being used to guide traffic. At the time, the cruiser, a fully-marked Explorer, was parked near some railroad tracks when it was struck.
“There were two vehicles involved in the crash, which involved a passing vehicle striking a stopped police cruiser,” he said. “The police cruiser was stopped for traffic control on the roadway when the collision occurred.”
A Republic police officer was sitting inside the vehicle when it was struck, but neither he nor the driver of the other vehicle were hurt in the collision. However, Landis said, the damage to the cruiser made it a little difficult for the officer to exit the vehicle.
Landis said the city was still waiting on an estimate to determine how much damage was done to the cruiser; he said the impact of the collision did cause the cruiser’s airbags to deploy.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol worked the accident and is investigating. Landis said the incident should serve as a reminder that anyone who approaches an emergency vehicle needs to drive with caution.
“Police Chief Brian Sells would like to remind motorists that when they see an emergency vehicle on the side of the road, they need to slow down and use caution as they proceed,” he said.
 
 

Category:

Lawrence County Record

312 S. Hickory St.
Mt. Vernon, MO, 65712
www.lawrencecountyrecord.com

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