Posted on 04/22/2008 7:01:07 PM PDT by buccaneer81
Fight at scene of crash tragic, Circleville official says Dad charged with misconduct for wrestling with deputy as crews worked to extricate son Tuesday, April 22, 2008 7:52 PM By Randy Ludlow The Columbus Dispatch Adam Carter Adam Carter It unfolded March 25 along London Road in Pickaway County.
Sixteen-year-old Adam Carter was driving to school when his car crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a dump truck.
Paul Carter soon arrived. As he ran toward his son's crushed car, he was intercepted by Sgt. Cory Bachnicki.
Bachnicki said he told the man to stay back, to let the emergency crew go about its job of freeing Adam.
Carter shoved Bachnicki several times, yelling that he would have to be shot to be kept from his son, the sergeant said.
Carter continued trying to push past, Bachnicki said, and they started wrestling on the ground.
Carter, 46, ended up in handcuffs in a cruiser and later was charged with misconduct at an emergency scene, a misdemeanor.
Bachnicki suffered an injury to his left rotator cuff and cuts to a knee and hand. His shirt lapel was ripped and his radio microphone was broken.
Adam, a popular kid whose bright red hair made him stand out at Westfall High School, was flown to a Columbus hospital. He died about five hours later.
After burying his son, Paul Carter pleaded not guilty to the charge in Circleville Municipal Court.
Today, Circleville Law Director Gary Kenworthy talked with Carter's attorney about what is to become of the charge. It carries a sentence of up to six months in jail.
“It's tragic all the way around,” Kenworthy said. “I can understand both sides of the circumstances.
“I'll discuss the case with the officer and see what his thoughts are now on whether the case should go forward.”
Carter's attorney, John Farthing of Circleville, did not return telephone calls yesterday. Carter could not be reached for comment.
Sheriff Dwight Radcliff is not without sympathy for the family. However, he still believes Carter crossed the line.
“It was the last thing in the world we wanted to do, but we had a situation there with someone's life at stake. We feel bad about it, but we have a job to do.”
rludlow@dispatch.org
How do you know he would have been in the way?
What a good idea. Do they ride with EMS?
That sounds like a fantastic idea.
Prevent me from assisting my son in an accident...I don’t give a crap how long it takes, you are a dead man.
They complete hazmat and blood born pathogen training and usually hit the first vacant seat out of the station. Many times the ride with me in the command vehicle. The chaplain will accompany the family either in the police car or use a command vehicle to transport the family to the hospital. If the family wants to use a private vehicle, the chaplain drives. (It’s a LOT safer that way)
Perhaps the officer was trying to spare the father the sight of seeing his son so badly hurt?
Sad situation. I too would want to be next to my son in a similar situation. However, I know I would be out of my mind which would not benefit my son or the emergency personnel trying to free him. Tough call for the officer. You would think they would be trained for such situations.
Not knowing more, I say drop the charges against the father. There are no winners here.
I am sick of these Nazi thugs we call police officers. Here in Connecticut, our State Troopers almost never drive the speedlimit, local cops all have attitudes ten stories high and every major city in the state (heck in most of New England for that matter) has unbelievable corruption charges pending against multiple officers right now.
Out of control it has become...
Sounds to me like the dad was over the line, but who can blame him?
He’s suffered enough. Just dismiss the whole thing.
The LEO is a LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER dressed in military gear. You are a civilian. Gone are the days of Peace Officers who didn’t think of himself as any different than you.
lol. Have heard in some places; they are considering this; but don't think it will change. Some states have restrictions on how many passengers you can have for fist six months; no cell phone etc.
Think this helps; that and lots of driving experience - for sure if a child leans to 'attention deficit' - (but don't they all; at that age?); which again, goes beyond a 'maturity'; just a competent readiness.
Am wondering how it is; this boy just 'drove into oncoming lane'. (Gatheriing his books ups, etc. . .did he have a cell phone? ) No help for him now; but a learning message, perhaps; for his peers.
I Agree, I am a FF/EMT and Deputy coroner in our Northern WI county. I have seen this many times and the sad thing is that this man was a danger to the crews, himself and - his son. This is sad and while he should have been restrained maybe charges were a bit overboard. It really does depend on the scene. Prayers for the family!
I have been the responder (IIRC, you are/were a Police Officer and have as well). I have also been the one who has been required to keep loved ones at a safe distance while others are racing that short clock to save a life. It is not a fun job.
I'll reserve judgement unless I know much more than is stated in this very brief article.
I had not seen this before my other reply this morning.
I suppose all of those condemning the Deputy Sheriff would be condemning him equally if he had allowed the father to walk into an unsafe scene and make it a double tragedy.
Common sense? I think those words are lost in our society as it is today. I know no one would have kept ME or MINE from standing near so our child could hear our voice. There IS a limit on authority. Some have the proper authority others only think they have. I’m so sad the boy is gone and we grieve for the father.
10-20 years ago the cop wouldn’t have interfered. Now you have to follow proper procedures or you can get fired or sued. Sad statement of the world we live in today.
A case where a father was in an accident and his two, grown sons were kept from the scene, happened here in PCB a couple of months ago. It was an ugly scene and was widely reported in the news.
LEO explained that it was a crime sene, as a hit and run is, and the investigation was on-going. The sons weren’t buying it and there was a scuffle. Both sons were charged with a minor infraction. Apologies were forthcoming from LEO and the family of the man, who was dead at the scene.
yeah, so threaten shoot him.
Stand between a man and his son, and you have it coming.
That's the problem with today's society...SUE, so the "taxpayers" (read you and I) can pay for this the rest of our lives.
What if the man had reached his son's side and grabbed him in his grief, moving him and possibly causing more damage to his spine or internal organs?
The emergency personel was asking for the chance to free the son and get him the help he needed to try to save his life. If the father had not distracted them, maybe the son could have survived.
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