LPD Officer Injured in Traffic Accident at School Bus Stop
By: Nick Ochsner
Updated: February 14, 2013
An LPD police cruiser was rear-ended Wednesday afternoon while stopped for a school bus on University Avenue.
Police say the bus was stopped near University near 93rd St. around 3:00 p.m.. An LPD SUV was heading north on the opposite side of the road from the bus when the officer stopped for the bus.
The officer stopped for the bus, as required by law.
Another car, also coming north on University, then rear-ended the police SUV.
The officer and the driver of the other car were taken to the hospital with minor to moderate injuries.
The bus stop was the subject of a KAMC investigation last May, when a former bus driver came forward to complain about drivers who fail to stop for the bus.
Our cameras captured dozens of cars--on both sides of the road--passing by school buses while they stopped to let kids off.
David Stephens, who used to drop students off at that bus stop, said he was glad it was a cop car that got hit and not a child.
Stephens said he hopes Wednesday's accident is a wake-up call for police and drivers, who, he said, need to be better versed in the law.
State law says no matter which direction you are heading, you must stop for a school bus when the red lights are on and flashing.
Drivers are not to continue until either the lights stop, the driver signals for other drivers to begin moving again, or the bus itself starts to move.
According to state law, the fine for not stopping for a school bus can range between $200 to $1,000, for a first offense.
Police say the bus was stopped near University near 93rd St. around 3:00 p.m.. An LPD SUV was heading north on the opposite side of the road from the bus when the officer stopped for the bus.
The officer stopped for the bus, as required by law.
Another car, also coming north on University, then rear-ended the police SUV.
The officer and the driver of the other car were taken to the hospital with minor to moderate injuries.
The bus stop was the subject of a KAMC investigation last May, when a former bus driver came forward to complain about drivers who fail to stop for the bus.
Our cameras captured dozens of cars--on both sides of the road--passing by school buses while they stopped to let kids off.
David Stephens, who used to drop students off at that bus stop, said he was glad it was a cop car that got hit and not a child.
Stephens said he hopes Wednesday's accident is a wake-up call for police and drivers, who, he said, need to be better versed in the law.
State law says no matter which direction you are heading, you must stop for a school bus when the red lights are on and flashing.
Drivers are not to continue until either the lights stop, the driver signals for other drivers to begin moving again, or the bus itself starts to move.
According to state law, the fine for not stopping for a school bus can range between $200 to $1,000, for a first offense.
