Updated crash report suggests LPD officer responsible for Sunday crash with bicyclist
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Lincoln Police released a new crash report about a Sunday crash that sent a 15-year-old bicyclist to the hospital.
The original crash report suggests the bicyclist was responsible for the crash. In the investigating officer’s description of the crash, it shows the involved officer reported his vehicle being struck by the bicyclist.
See also: TEEN BICYCLIST INJURED IN COLLISION WITH LINCOLN POLICE CRUISER IN CROSSWALK
The updated crash report says the officer reported he looked left while turning and hit the bicyclist. The officer reported not seeing the bicyclist at the time of the collision.
An updated crash diagram also shows the bicyclist being hit by the front right portion of the cruiser. The original diagram showed the bicyclist running into the cruiser.
The new report also includes testimony from two witnesses at the scene. The witness in the left lane of Adams Street reported seeing the bicyclist hit the cruiser before being knocked over.
A second witness who was in the car right behind the officer said she saw the cruiser hit the bicyclist after the crossing symbol gave him permission to use the crosswalk. The witness also reported assisting the boy after the crash.
Both witnesses say the boy was hit at a low speed.
Channel 8 reached out to the Lincoln Police Department for their comment on these discrepancies. This was their complete statement:
“On Sunday August 21, a collision occurred between a Lincoln Police Department cruiser and a bicyclist. The officer was stopped at a red light facing eastbound on Adams Street at 48th Street. The officer intended to make a right hand turn southbound onto 48th Street. As the officer inched forward to observe oncoming traffic, and began to make the turn, the cruiser and bicyclist made contact at what witnesses described as a low-speed collision. The 15-year-old bicyclist was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The collision investigation is on-going and with any investigation it takes time. This includes speaking to witnesses/victims, examining video evidence, and locating video. A finding will then be determined by the investigating supervisor. No matter who is involved, we will do our due diligence to make sure all evidence is collected and reviewed.
The Lincoln Police Department’s internal policies require an additional level of review for employee traffic collisions by the LPD Safety Committee. This committee will examine each collision and provide recommendations for disciplinary action for violations of department policy and/or traffic law violations.
Above all, we are grateful that the bicyclist is recovering at home with his family. We wish him a speedy recovery.”
The officer involved in the crash has not received a citation, according to the report. It is unclear if the officer will face disciplinary action in the accident.
Original report:
Updated report:
