Fatal traffic accidents are a common occurrence in South Florida. As a Miami-Dade Police Traffic Homicide Detective, I investigated thousands of traffic accidents. Many of them were fatal traffic accidents, and a number of them involved police vehicles. When a police officer is involved, it makes the news as this recent one did. Not surprisingly, there is an extra level of scrutiny applied to police involved fatal traffic accidents.
Death is different.
“A post-collision inspection of Officer Song’s police car revealed that the headlight switch was in the ‘off’ position, indicating that Officer Song likely did not have his headlights on while he was driving on the dark roads.”
“Mr. Vizcaino had no chance to avoid the collision with the officer.”
An investigator’s opinion and expertise carries significant weight.
As an expert accident reconstructionist, I investigated thousands of accidents, retained as an expert and represented clients involved in fatal traffic accidents. I have beat engineering experts in the field of accident reconstruction. As a lawyer, I have also represented clients on both sides of the case.
As a Miami-Dade Traffic Homicide Detective, I spent a lot of time working for the State Attorney’s Office reviewing cases. Cases that were in prosecutorial jeopardy. Most of these cases were in jeopardy because of shoddy investigations and inexperienced investigators. I have reinvestigated cases from FHP, Miami Beach, Hialeah, Miami, and others. Cases where people were charged with crimes that should not have been and cases that should have been charged and were not.
State’s press release, screams at me. If the State is relying on the position of the light switch as significant evidence to support a vehicular homicide charge, there is a problem. The State may very well have a solid case against this officer. Maybe the State got it right this time.
Think the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office will not come after you because you are a police officer? I am here to tell you that you are wrong. The State Attorney’s Office will come after you extra hard in these cases.
THEY WILL HANDCUFF YOU AND TAKE YOU TO TGK!
I represent a lot of cops, both civilly and criminally. When charged like this, your freedom, your job, your family, and your future are on the line.
If you are ever involved in a fatal traffic accident:
If you are involved in a critical or fatal traffic accident keep your mouth shut. Never talk to anyone about the accident before speaking to your lawyer. Always, call your lawyer immediately, from the scene. Never, ever accept the State Attorney’s invitation to come down and “talk” about your case. Doing so is nothing more than an invitation to hang yourself. When your Department requires you to provide an administrative or IA statement, never go without a lawyer.
Lastly, if you are involved in an on-duty critical or fatal crash and can not get a union, association, PBA or FOP lawyer to COME OUT TO THE CRASH SCENE IMMEDIATELY, call me. No matter what time of day or night. If you are in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, or Monroe County, I will come!
I WILL REPRESENT YOU ON SCENE OF A FATAL TRAFFIC ACCIDENT, FOR FREE.
Likewise, no matter where you are at, local or across the country, I will review your case with your lawyer and give my expert opinion for FREE.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel, “Your South Florida Lawyer, Patrick J. McGeehan,” for more videos explaining legal concepts in easy to understand terms.
Return to our blog!