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.
Does anyone have a problem with this statement from the officer?
Ford makes these cars, and they have the obligation to make them safe under any driving conditions."
How do you make a car safe under ANY driving condition? Heck - our military doesn't even have that level of perfection in their vehicles.
Then again - where's the lawsuits against those who crashed into police cars - like in this case? A drunk driver struck the police car in the rear. Why is that driver not mentioned or party to the lawsuit? If the drunk hadn't hit the cop's car, the fire wouldn't have happened, regardless of the Ford's design (and I'm no Ford fan).
Has anything really been determined regarding the danger of the Crown Vics? What is it about Ford's design that's "negligent"? That they don't put 1/2 inch plate steel shields around the gas tank? Someone please clear me up....
You convinced me last year.
My wife wanted the Mercury Counterpart, and I bought her a Lexus instead. She is a happy trooper and all of us are probably safer.
You know why highway patrol departments went to Camaros and Mustangs? They did not need a back seat, because they take no prisoners....
"He ran, Your Honor, and consequently I had to shoot him in the back as he was fleeing, to stop him. Unfortunately he died on the scene."
"Case closed."
Law enforcement used to be so simple. But the officer had to get the drop on the bad guys.
you guys are a little behind in your reading aren't you? LOL
This article was posted over two years ago????LOL
Poor guy. Read about one cop burned up in a cruiser, his kids thought their dad was gone and this guy was some kind of a monster that took his place. I think only my faith could get me through something like that.
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