Ongoing investigations recently provided more insight into a fatal accident in Longboat Key in December 19, one that claimed the life of Sarasota philanthropist Charles Barancik.
According to a police investigation, a Longboat Key officer was driving at 84 miles per hour, nearly twice the legal speed limit, when he collided with the vehicle carrying Barancik and his wife Margery. The force of the impact resulted in Barancik being killed instantly, and Margery died shortly afterward.
The crash was investigated by the Sarasota Police Department, and prompted the Longboard Key Police Department to open its internal investigation. The officer, Jeffery D. Vogt, was on duty at the time of the accident and was responding to a fire alarm. While his emergency lights were operating, his siren was not.
According to Longboard Key Police general orders, “During an emergency response, emergency lights and siren and other emergency signal devices shall be activated as required by law.”
Special rules can apply for emergency personnel
It is important to note, for accidents involving emergency personnel like police officers and firefighters, there are times at which those responders are exempt from following the rules of the road if they are on duty and en route to an emergency situation. However, it is still crucial all officers and responders make sure they have their emergency lights and sirens activated to alert other people on the road of their presence and to ensure they get out of the way.
For more information about some of the nuances that factor into these types of cases and what to do if you’ve been injured in an accident involving emergency personnel, contact an experienced Bradenton, FL personal injury lawyer at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez & Walsh.