2008 Woodie Awards
UPD officer, grad student in accident
Two cars collide at intersection in parking lot North of campus
Tommy Conroy
A University Police Department officer was involved in a car accident with a graduate student Wednesday afternoon in the North commuter lot.
Graduate student Jake DeLion said he slowed down to about 15 miles per hour to turn into the parking lot from Bethel Avenue. The intersection in the lot has three stop signs - one on every side except DeLion's. He said he slowed to about five miles per hour through the intersection.
Director of public safety Gene Burton said Cpl. Michael Baker was driving the police car. Burton said he didn't know how the accident happened. Baker couldn't be reached for comment.
DeLion said the two cars collided at an intersection in the North section of the parking lot. The police car had scratches and paint damage on the front bumper on the driver's side and the other car had paint damage and a dent on the driver's side back door.
He didn't know if the officer had stopped, he said. He saw the police car out of the corner of his eye, he said, and braced for impact.
DeLion said Baker claimed DeLion was at fault.
DeLion said he couldn't have been at fault because the front of the police car made contact with the side of his car and wasn't happy about the claim.
"Logically, I just can't see his side," DeLion said. "If I hit him our cars would've been at a different angle and it would've been different damage."
Graduate student Jake DeLion said he slowed down to about 15 miles per hour to turn into the parking lot from Bethel Avenue. The intersection in the lot has three stop signs - one on every side except DeLion's. He said he slowed to about five miles per hour through the intersection.
Director of public safety Gene Burton said Cpl. Michael Baker was driving the police car. Burton said he didn't know how the accident happened. Baker couldn't be reached for comment.
DeLion said the two cars collided at an intersection in the North section of the parking lot. The police car had scratches and paint damage on the front bumper on the driver's side and the other car had paint damage and a dent on the driver's side back door.
He didn't know if the officer had stopped, he said. He saw the police car out of the corner of his eye, he said, and braced for impact.
DeLion said Baker claimed DeLion was at fault.
DeLion said he couldn't have been at fault because the front of the police car made contact with the side of his car and wasn't happy about the claim.
"Logically, I just can't see his side," DeLion said. "If I hit him our cars would've been at a different angle and it would've been different damage."
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 8
Mark
posted 11/20/08 @ 8:09 AM EST
I drove by just after this collision. The reason DeLion is at fault is because as he was turning left he cut into the lane for the officerwas driving in striking the car. (Continued…)
Clarence Thompson
posted 11/20/08 @ 10:49 AM EST
I'm surprised Parking Services didn't come by and give the grad student a parking ticket while the two damaged cars were sitting there in the parking lot. (Continued…)
Amanda
posted 11/20/08 @ 9:48 PM EST
No doubt!
Where is the picture of this accident?
Jerry
posted 11/20/08 @ 11:54 PM EST
This wouldn't be the first time a UPD officer has been at fault in an accident with and student and passed the blame off.
Derek
posted 11/21/08 @ 4:18 PM EST
You guys wouldn't expect a high and mighty police officer to take the blame, even if he was at fault, would you? C'mon now.
ESPECIALLY not in this town. (Continued…)
BSUCardi09
BSUCardi09
posted 11/23/08 @ 3:04 AM EST
When I heard about this accident. I was not surprised to hear that you got hit in the commuter lot right off of bethel. I drive through there everyday and I almost get hit at least twice a week. (Continued…)
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