Lakeville Police Officer Nearly Struck by Car During Traffic Stop

Law enforcement can be very dangerous work. Every year thousands of officers are feloniously assaulted and injured in the line of duty or, even more tragically, killed. What many people in the public do not realize is the number of officers that are killed or injured when they are struck by passing vehicles, while out on our roadways enforcing traffic laws. It is estimated that over 150 officers have been killed across our country since 1999 while on the roadway and struck by passing vehicles. 

Since 2006, Minnesota has had a “move over” law that requires motorists to move one lane over when an emergency vehicle with flashing lights activated (ambulance, law enforcement, fire, towing, and also maintenance or construction vehicles) is on the side of the roadway. When traveling on a roadway with two or more lanes, drivers must reduce speeds and move over one full lane, if possible. Minnesota’s “move over” law was named in honor of State Patrol Trooper Ted Foss, who was killed while on the shoulder of I-90 near Winona in 2000. 

This past week, Officer Adam Stier had stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation late at night and was on the side of the roadway, with the emergency lights activated on his patrol squad when he saw a vehicle coming up from behind traveling fast. Officer Stier, fearing that he was going to be hit, jumped towards the ditch. The vehicle did not reduce its speed and nearly struck the back of his squad, just swerving at the last moment to avoid collision. 

Officer Stier was able to clear the traffic stop that he was on and stopped the vehicle that had nearly struck his squad. The driver appeared to be impaired and, after failing a field sobriety test, was placed under arrest and charged. A potential tragedy was averted that night but we have had officers injured by passing motorists. 

Just a few years ago, Officer Michelle Roberts was injured when stuck by a passing motorist, while out at a traffic crash scene. Fortunately, Officer Roberts recovered, but many officers do not. It is every driver’s responsibility to slow down, move over and use due caution. When you see a squad or emergency vehicle on the roadside with its emergency lights activated, remember this is to alert approaching traffic that there are officers, firefighters, paramedics or maintenance workers out on the roadway. 

CAR ENDS UP ON TOP OF SNOWBANK 

Officer Jeremy Lerfald was on patrol one night recently when he came upon this vehicle (pictured below) stuck on top of the snow bank alongside the roadway. Upon stopping and interviewing the driver, Officer Lerfald and assisting Officer Adam Stier discovered that the driver had lost control of the vehicle on an icy spot on the roadway, swerved into the snow covered center median and then went off the roadway striking a fence. Fortunately, no other vehicles were involved in the crash and no one was injured. The vehicle came to rest on top of the bank of hard frozen snow. The driver showed signs of impairment and was taken into custody and the vehicle was towed off the snowbank. 

SNOWMOBILE HITS FENCE 

With the increase in snow cover, we have experienced a few more snowmobile calls than in the past few years, when there has been no snow cover. Most snowmobile complaints are related to snowmobiles being operated where they are not allowed. There has only been one minor crash involving a snowmobile that occurred when a snowmobile struck a chain link fence. The snowmobile was undamaged and the rider was not hurt, but the fence was damaged. 

WEEKLY LPD SNAPSHOT

Sampling of LPD activity for the week of March 7 to March 14, 2013

Traffic crashes: 7 Alarms: 28 Animal Calls: 15 Medical Emergency Calls: 26 Thefts: 19 Traffic Stops: 131.