Escambia Deputy Cited After Motorcycle Crash
April 3, 2014
An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy was cited Wednesday night at colliding with motorcyclist.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Denise Ives, 42, was traveling east on on Gulf Beach Highway in a marked Escambia County Sheriff’s Office 2009 Ford Crown Victoria. She failed to see a 2001 Honda Goldwing driven by 57-year old Steven Larkin of Pensacola and turned into the path of the westbound motorcycle.
Larkin was transported to Baptist Hospital in serious condition, while Ives suffered only minor injuries.
Ives was cited with making an improper left turn by the FHPn
Comments
8 Responses to “Escambia Deputy Cited After Motorcycle Crash”
To M Fox:
Actually they are required to wear their seat belts. Deputies (or any police officers) are required to follow the traffic laws just like everyone else. The only exception to that is the speed law, where they’re allowed to drive 15 MPH over the speed limit if using their lights and sirens to respond to an emergency call. Otherwise they’re required to follow all the traffic laws just like we are. Unfortunately, some of them feel like they’re above the law since they’re law enforcement officers.
Deputy likely driving while distracted.
Way too many electronic gadgets going at the same time at the hand of the driver.
Cell phone and the laptop are very distracting.
Maybe the illegal tinting on their car windows prevents them from seeing motorcycles?
I’m with you on the blinker Robert S. Not using blinkers are a pet peeve of mine. It is a basic form of communication. I asked one time and got the answer that they need to have their hands on the steering wheel and sometimes do not have time to put the blinker on. Also, they are not required to use their seat belts because sometime they have to exit their vehicle quickly to assist in case of accident.
Seems they are like congress… they are charged with enforcing a lot of rules that they do not have to follow.
Perhaps my observations are wrong but it seems that law enforcement rarely uses their turn signals.
Maybe there is a mechanical reason for that, turn flashers tied in with emergency lights or something?
Saw Mr. Larkin, the motorcycle rider, on the news tonight and he’s banged up and very thankful that his injuries were no worse.
Very fortunate and watched over.
You think a higher fine will make a difference? Perhaps the deputy thought, “I really shouldn’t turn in front of a MC, but it’s so dang inexpensive I’d be a fool not to.”
In defense of the deputy, it depends on the time of day. There are many curves in that road, and the sun can be blinding. I got the finger from a motorcyclist that I absolutely did not see and I pulled out in front of him. So, I don’t think the deputy did it on purpose or was being careless. Hope everyone is OK!
A Goldwing is a very large motorcycle, There’s no reason a safe driver could miss it..
How does anyone NOT see and turn into the path of a Goldwing, they are lit up more than a neon sign? And when is the State of Florida going to place a harsher penalty for hitting a MC, even if they kill the driver, the penalty is a $166. traffic citation…