Posted on 07/01/2002 6:47:16 PM PDT by Shermy
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Arizona public safety officer Juan Cruz was killed in a fiery explosion four years ago when his Ford Crown Victoria police cruiser was hit from behind by a drunk driver. Just two weeks ago in Chandler, Arizona, officer Robert Nelson died the same way when his Crown Victoria exploded in flames after being hit by a motorist.
"It was a humongous ball of fire. The car was filled with smoke and flames and it was a big fire," said one eyewitness.
In the past four years, in Arizona alone, three law enforcement officers have died after their Crown Victoria squad cars exploded. Another Phoenix police officer was badly burned in March of last year when his Crown Victoria exploded in flames after being hit from behind.
Last August in San Diego, CHP officer Steve Linen, Jr. was killed when his Crown Victoria turned into a fireball after being rear-ended by a drunk driver.
"A vehicle being rear-ended by another vehicle at any speed, the gas tank should not explode," says San Francisco police public affairs spokesman officer Sherm Ackerson. "If we're aware there's a potential for fires, then I think we have to let our officers know that."
There is reason for concern. In the past decade at least 11 police officers across the country have died when their Crown Victorias caught on fire. Already, one state - New Jersey - is suing Ford Motor Company. Arizona's attorney general wants the Ford police cruisers recalled. Most law enforcement agencies, including San Francisco police, use what's called the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor - a beefed-up model built for police work.
"It's a large car. It gives us enough room so that we can actually put in all the various kinds of police equipment," says Ackerson.
At issue is the gas tank. Like the notorious Ford Pinto which was implicated in numerous fiery deaths in the 70's, the police interceptor's fuel tanks are located between the bumper and rear axle. Critics say the design is unsafe. Lawyers for the victim's families allege that a certain bolt tends to rupture the gas tank which may cause explosions in high-speed collisions.
"Certainly rear-end accidents are something that police officers encounter and so having a safe vehicle, one that doesnt catch fire, is very importnat to us," Ackerson says.
Ford maintains that there's nothing unusual about the car's design or the gas tank placement. Instead, Ford says it's the high-speed environment of police work that led to the series of explosions. However, Ford has agreed to form a blue ribbon commission with the Arizona attorney general to review the car.
The corporation just has too much money, and they have to get it all sued away from themselves again.
Heh.
The Arizona link mentions that the gas tanks are situated just like the Pinto. Short memories. Very short.
The Arizona police moving to CNG (Compressed Natural Gas).
They are getting tricky. Many police cars have a profile that is not distinctive when seen in the rear view mirror.... not that it matters to me one way or the other.
The nation's taxi fleet is aging...
Nonetheless, I get the distinct impression from them and others in the Police Interceptor community that some kind of voluntary recall to grind down the offending studs and/or add a protective plate will be initiated by Ford, even though the problem is quite rarefied.
This is my Crown Vic, as photographed outside that plant:
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