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Lancaster deputy involved in rear-end collision

by The AV Times Staff • October 9, 2014

The minivan's driver braked suddenly to avoid a driver making an illegal turn, and the deputy driving behind the minivan was unable to stop in time, authorities said. (Photo by Luis Meza)
The minivan’s driver braked suddenly to avoid a car making an illegal turn, and the deputy driving behind the minivan was unable to stop in time, authorities said. (Photo by LUIS MEZA)

LANCASTER – A Lancaster Sheriff’s Station deputy sustained minor injuries, including a sprained wrist, when his patrol vehicle collided with a minivan in Lancaster Thursday afternoon, authorities said.

The deputy-involved traffic collision occurred around 1 p.m. on Sierra Highway, just north of Avenue L-12, according to Sgt. Dave Jennings of the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station Traffic Detail.

The minivan's driver was not injured and passengers were in the vehicle at the time. (LUIS MEZA)
The minivan’s driver was not injured and no passengers were in the vehicle at the time. (LUIS MEZA)

Both vehicles were headed northbound on Sierra Highway when the minivan, a Honda Odyssey, made a sudden stop, Jennings said.

“The party that the deputy hit had to slam on her brakes because somebody made an illegal turn in front of her,” Jennings said. “The deputy was looking towards a business. When he looked back… he couldn’t brake in time.”

“The car that made the illegal turn disappeared,” Jennings added.

The deputy was treated for a sprained wrist, from airbag deployment, and then released, according to Jennings. The minivan’s driver was uninjured in the collision, Jennings said.

The northbound lanes on Sierra Highway, from Avenue M to L-8, were shut down for nearly three hours to allow for the investigation.

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Filed Under: Crime/ Safety

18 comments for "Lancaster deputy involved in rear-end collision"

  1. bien malo says

    October 16, 2014 at 6:40 pm

    Does it say anywhere about a dashcam. Or did it magically turn off.

  2. Gary says

    October 12, 2014 at 7:49 am

    Oops!

  3. James says

    October 11, 2014 at 9:32 am

    Just last week, I witnesses an LASD cruiser run a red light at the intersection of Ave. I & 3rd St. E. and almost hit an oncoming mini-van trying to turn left in front it. Luckily the mini-van driver realized in time that the car wasn’t going to stop, and the cruiser made it through without a collision. The Female deputy driving had been looking at her computer as she entered into the intersection. When she realized what she had done, I saw her look over at her partner next to her and they both started laughing. I didn’t find it funny. Not funny at all. I bet the driver of the van wasn’t laughing either.

    • James says

      October 11, 2014 at 10:31 am

      I’m not trying to say the deputy who rear-ended the minivan was also driving distracted, I don’t know. Everyone deserves the benefit of the doubt. I just wanted to relay my story since distracted police was being discussed :)

      • Greg says

        October 11, 2014 at 8:09 pm

        The article clearly states he was distracted since he was looking at a business to the side of the road and not at the road.

        • James says

          October 12, 2014 at 8:27 am

          somehow, I missed that reading through the first time! :)

  4. Danny says

    October 10, 2014 at 9:04 pm

    Most likely on his phone

  5. Just Saying says

    October 10, 2014 at 1:48 pm

    There is a 2 way left turn lane on this section of Serra Hwy. The minivan appears to be in it. What kind of illegal maneuver might have caused this?

  6. Really? says

    October 10, 2014 at 10:13 am

    Have you ever tried stopping a vehicle going the speed limit of 55 mph behind a vehicle that just slammed on their brakes due to a car turning in front of them? I have and it’s not always possible to stop! A lot of accusations from people who didn’t witness the situation. Better to keep accustions to yourself! Accidents happen unfortunately and you don’t have to be tailgating!

    • callitasitis says

      October 10, 2014 at 3:22 pm

      At 55 mph, you will travel over 800 feet in 10–12 seconds.Many drivers follow too closely (tailgate) and are not able to see as far ahead as they should because the vehicle ahead blocks their view. The more space you allow between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead, the more time you will have to see a hazard, and stop or avoid that hazard.
      Most rear end collisions are caused by tailgating. To avoid tailgating, use the “three-second rule”: when the vehicle ahead of you passes a certain point such as a sign, count “one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three.” Counting these numbers takes approximately three seconds. If you pass the same point before you finish counting, you are following too closely.
      Ref: California Driver Handbook – Visual Search; DMV. That is why LEO cite you for it

    • John Q. Public says

      October 13, 2014 at 3:38 pm

      Or… the deputy could follow at a safe distance for his speed as the law requires. If you rearend somebody in broad daylight, try telling your insurance company it’s not your fault.

  7. lol says

    October 10, 2014 at 8:47 am

    Was someone driving too close?? hmmmm??????

  8. SERIOUSLY says

    October 10, 2014 at 8:35 am

    I find it fun how the entire article places blame EVERYWHERE except where blame belongs ON THE OFFICER. I am in no way a cop basher but seriously, if the cop wasn’t driving to close AND was looking at the road it wouldn’t have happened. I wonder if R. Parris called the mini van driver yet so she can sue?

  9. bird says

    October 10, 2014 at 8:27 am

    Well Let’s see; if I rear-ended someone, it would be my fault. I wouldn’t be able to come up with any excuses, or shift the blame, or minimize my part in a rear-end collision.

  10. callitasitis says

    October 10, 2014 at 7:51 am

    The article makes this seem like the illegal turn was the cause of the traffic collision. This I am sorry to say is the LASD Deputy (driver) fault (driving to close and unattentive driving). I would guess that the deputy was NOT driving in the defense driving mode. Those on board computer ARE just as bad as a driver texting ( which I have also seen deputies doing). Not a good driving habit.

  11. Tisk tisk says

    October 10, 2014 at 6:46 am

    And this is why you don’t tailgate the vehicle in front of you!

  12. Lg14 says

    October 10, 2014 at 6:38 am

    Anyone know how the driver of the minivan is?

  13. Max says

    October 9, 2014 at 9:44 pm

    Cops are always distracted, they should leave space in front of them…

    Civilians driving don’t leave enough space in front of them. You can do 4 seconds if you try. I’m stress free all the time: cruise control at the speed limit, cover the brake if I think somebody might turn in front of me, adjust the rear view so I don’t have to know if some moron is too close behind me. Life is good :) I’ve had one accident in about 500,000 miles and that was with a guy who came through a two way stop from behind stuff that blocked my view.

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