Residents of Willoughby, Ohio, are absolutely shocked by the loss of a notable member of their community as the result of a tragic motor vehicle accident. A 32-year-old Lake County police officer was driving on a residential street when he was caught up in the car accident, which prematurely claimed his life.
The officer was in the process of responding to an incident when a pickup truck collided with the police cruiser during the late evening hours. In an instant, the crash sent the man and his vehicle flying into a tree and rolling through two lawns. The cop was brought to a nearby medical center where he soon succumbed to his injuries.
Those who knew the officer, who worked full-time at the Cleveland Clinic and part-time with the Willoughby Police Department, recognized him for his impeccable record of service and dedication to his job and family. As a result of the incident, the man is leaving behind a wife and 2-year-old child.
At this point, local police are still investigating the circumstances of the accident. Though they do not want to raise unnecessary speculation, there is currently no reason to believe alcohol was a factor in the accident.
Once the police inquiry is completed, the man’s family, friends and colleagues will hopefully have much-deserved answers. If it is determined that a driver was at fault, then one party may be able to pursue a claim for wrongful death or personal injury. Though a successful civil suit will not undo all the suffering that has come in the wake of this tragic accident, the monetary compensation can help the victim’s family negotiate the financial and lifestyle adjustments more easily.
Horrorstruck by the scene of the accident, one community member reflected, “Willoughby is small, so if you lose one, you lost a lot.”
Source:
- The Plain Dealer, “Willoughby police still investigating crash that took the life of a part-time officer,” Brandon Blackwell, Sept. 24, 2012
- Our firm has experience handling a wide variety of personal injury cases, including fatal motor vehicle accidents. To find out more, please see our Cleveland car accident page.