Motorcyclist killed in accident with police officer

[Mel]

I don't know if this has been posted yet or not.

 

Updated: Friday, 06 Aug 2010, 11:18 PM EDT

 

 

Published : Friday, 06 Aug 2010, 10:59 PM EDT

• Reporter: Phil Sanchez
  

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - At least one person is dead following a serious accident involving an Indianapolis police officer on 56th Street near Brendon Way; it's the second crash involving an IMPD K-9 officer today.

Police tell 24-hour News 8 that the officer had his lights and siren on while he was responding a call to help officers serve a warrant.

Witnesses say the officer came upon the motorcyclist at the intersection of 56th Street and Brendon Way. Police say the officer tried to swerve around the motorcycles when he struck them.

Police say Eric Wells, 30, died in the accident; Kurt Weekly, 44, is described as being in critical but stable condition. Mary Mills, 47, is in serious condition but is alert and conscious.

The group worked together, they were out for lunch with a fourth co-worker.

George Burts was also riding his motorcycle, and witnessed the whole thing.

"We did everything we were supposed to do, stop stay in place and let the officer do what he's supposed to do." Burts said.

George says they came to a red light at 56th and Brendonway, that' when George says he heard the sirens.

"And I'm looking to the right and I can't go nowhere, we couldn't go forward because there was a car in front of us. I froze, that's what I've been taught, or maybe even a cars been taught it, if you can't move, stay put they'll find it."

But for whatever reason, Officer David Bisard couldn’t find an open lane.

Burts says, the officer was shaken and that there were "Bodies, bikes, were going everywhere."

"He says did yall hear my sirens, and I said I heard them but there was nothing we could do.

God, that fast coming through an intersection...I don't know ya know?"

We did some checking and got IMPD's Vehicle Operations policy. They have a long list of guidelines. They basically spell out that officers must be licensed, wear seatbelts while driving and must have their lights and sirens on during pursuits or responding to calls.

State law says, when a emergency vehicle is driving with it's sirens on, you should pull over preferably into the right lane, but if you can't do that, stop, don't move or second guess the officer just let the officer move safely around you.

[Sideoftheroad]

just let the officer move safely around you.

 

The officer should be held liable in this case. They didn't move and he plowed through them. If he couldn't find an open lane, why not just stop until you get one? Needless death.

[Dano]

They also are required to use due care when entering intersections, especially if it's red.

[N3FOL]

This is a senseless death. I trully believe this is IMPD's fault. If they haven't yet, T

the family of the deceased should be getting a good lawyer.

 

Very very dangerous out there...First we all have to deal with traffic and idiot drivers who wants to be in front of everybody. Second, we also have to worry about police cars with sirens because they are in such a hurry and they may plow you down. (Shaking head)

[Yammer Dan]

Surely this one will be investigated.

[CaptainJoe]

Prayers sent for all that were involved in this accident.

[Uturn]

I'd interested in a follow-up. I did a search and there are many spins on this...depends on the report whether there was a place for the cycles to pull over or not. My take: the officer is at fault - due diligence and control. Be careful out there, there may be a "HOT PURSUIT" in progress.

 

MIKE aka Uturn

[Mariner Fan]

Of course the officer is at fault. I've driven emergency vehicles and we know that you don't have license to blast into intersections even with lights and sirens. You have to to slow, establish eye contact with the drivers and proceed through. That's why you see fire trucks blast their horns at intersections to get the drivers attention.

[jfoster]

Wouldn't want to be him.....unemployed, civil court, district court, and the burden of killing a person.

Edited August 8, 2010 by jfoster

[TMair]

And it's not like he was responding to an armed robbery, or shooting, it was to aid with issuing a warrent.

Terry

[hig4s]

This is a senseless death. I trully believe this is IMPD's fault. If they haven't yet, T

the family of the deceased should be getting a good lawyer.

 

Very very dangerous out there...First we all have to deal with traffic and idiot drivers who wants to be in front of everybody. Second, we also have to worry about police cars with sirens because they are in such a hurry and they may plow you down. (Shaking head)

 

I have been seriously thinking about giving up motorcycling because even though I ride much more controlled and careful than I did in my youth on sport bikes. I feel the average driver over the last ten years is getting worse, including professionals such as police, fire and truck drivers. I find it hard to get on the bike without being afraid of all the clowns on the road.

[Irene]

Officer Bisard could have used the left turn lane. It was open. Reports say he was going 60 to 65MPH when he plowed into them. He was on his way to assist fellow officers in a drug warrant. Unless there were shots being fired at this drug case, there was no reason an earth Officer Bisard should have going that fast! Police Chief said he felt bad for the family of Mr. Wells.

But he especially felt bad for Officer Bisard because he will have to live with this for the rest of his life. Eric Wells is dead and he feels bad for Officer Bisard!

[Mariner Fan]

Looks like the officer was drunk when he hit those cyclists!!!

 

Just saw it on the news.

[Mariner Fan]

http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/local/marion_county/biker-hit-by-officer-to-be-laid-to-rest

[flb_78]

Looks like the officer was drunk when he hit those cyclists!!!

 

Just saw it on the news.

 

 

That is horrible. I hope they lock him up and burn his cell.