Officer down, Cleveland OH

[cop414]

Police Officer David Fahey was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver on I-90, near Warren Road today while assisting at the scene of a fatal accident at approximately 6:00 am.

He was setting out flares to divert traffic off of the highway when he was struck by an oncoming car. The vehicle fled after striking him and the driver remains at large.

Officer Fahey had served with the Cleveland Police Department for 2-1/2 years.

Godspeed to you my brother, may you Rest In Peace and your family find solace during this terrible time.

[BBL]

Why oh why did this happen? So sad........
RIP officer....

[cop414]

Originally Posted by BBL

Why oh why did this happen? So sad........
RIP officer....

I couldn't begin to count the number of times I've had close calls while standing alongside roadways, drivers in general just don't pay attention much today.

[BristolCavendish]

Originally Posted by cop414

I couldn't begin to count the number of times I've had close calls while standing alongside roadways, drivers in general just don't pay attention much today.

Is there a recommended manner in which to safely go about these precarious 'road shoulder' scenarios? In CA there have been numerous accounts of CHP officers getting hit by oncoming cars while responding to disabled vehicles as well as motorists getting clobbered while changing a flat tire. One would think that an oncoming driver would 'slow down' and proceed with caution in these situations but that is often not the case.

[cop414]

Originally Posted by BristolCavendish

Is there a recommended manner in which to safely go about these precarious 'road shoulder' scenarios? In CA there have been numerous accounts of CHP officers getting hit by oncoming cars while responding to disabled vehicles as well as motorists getting clobbered while changing a flat tire. One would think that an oncoming driver would 'slow down' and proceed with caution in these situations but that is often not the case.

Here in Pa it's law that you have to move over to the next lane whenever there are any emergency, construction, maintenance vehicles on the berm. This is called Pa's steer clear law. Last I knew a violation of this law carried up to $250 fine and upon conviction a 90 day license suspension. This includes police, fire trucks, ambulances and tow trucks, construction and maintenance vehicles as well as others listed below. If you are unable move to the next lane you have to slow down as you pass. I assume that most states have a similar law.

Steer Clear Law:

The 'Steer Clear' law requires drivers to move over or slow down when they encounter an emergency scene, traffic stop or disabled vehicle. This law will help prevent injuries and save lives, but only if drivers follow the law and use common sense. A brochure is located at the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Web Site.

Pennsylvania Vehicle Code Law:

3327. Duty of driver in emergency response areas.

(a) GENERAL RULE.-When approaching or passing an emergency response area, a person, unless otherwise directed by an emergency service responder, shall:
(1) pass in a lane not adjacent to that of the emergency response area, if possible; or
(2) if passing in a nonadjacent lane is impossible, illegal or unsafe, pass the emergency response area at a careful and prudent reduced speed reasonable for safely passing the emergency response area.
(b) PENALTY.-Any person violating subsection (a) commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, pay a fine of not more than $250.
(b.1) SUSPENSION OF OPERATING PRIVILEGE.-The department shall suspend the operating privilege of any person for 90 days upon receiving a certified record of the driver's conviction, adjudication of delinquency or admission into a preadjudication program for a violation of subsection (a), if the certified conviction indicates the violation resulted in serious injury to another person. The license shall be surrendered in accordance with section 1540 (relating to surrender of license).
(c) MARKING.-An emergency response area shall be clearly marked with road flares, caution signs or any other traffic-control device which law enforcement officials may have at their immediate disposal or visual signals on vehicles meeting the requirements of subchapter D of Chapter 45 (relating to equipment of authorized and emergency vehicles).
"Emergency response area." The area in which emergency service responders render emergency assistance to individuals on or near a roadway or a police officer is conducting a traffic stop or systematic check of vehicles as long as the emergency vehicle is making use of visual signals meeting the requirements of subchapter D of Chapter 45.
"Emergency service responder." An individual acting in an official capacity as police officer, sheriff, deputy sheriff, coroner, deputy coroner, firefighter, fire police, fire marshal, medical examiner, deputy medical examiner, rescue personnel, ambulance personnel, towing and recovery personnel, highway maintenance and construction personnel, hazardous material response team member or emergency medical service personnel.
"Serious injury." A personal injury resulting in death, serious impairment of body function or permanent serious disfigurement.

[RichM]

It's the law in NJ and DE too.

[BBL]

......Sarge, yes, can understand the peril.
Glad you're here to tell about it, tho'.
Have a great day, and thanks for making us feel gratitude for safety, first responders.
DM

[Mosco]

Truly sad....

[Urosfan]

Rip brother

[RichM]

RIP PO Fahey

[Toony]

Terrible. RIP

[MonBK]

Rip

[SemperFi]

Rest in peace Officer Fahey.

[HL65]

Very sad and was actually driving into Cleveland when it happened early this morning. Such a shame and may he Rest in Peace.

[77T]

Same rules for emergency vehicles here in Georgia, too.
Sad this happened due to driver negligence.

[GradyPhilpott]

Very sad news.

[Widows Son]

They found the car and driver in Lorain pretty quickly. They had a partial plate from the scene. Luckily the plate actually belonged to the suspect vehicle. So many times these beater cars have fictitious plates. The owners move the plate from one beater to the next. On a side note, far more officers are killed by cars than in gunfights. I've been struck several times.

[cop414]

Thanks for the update Bill.