Fla. Officer Runs Over Sunbathing Sisters

guardian ^ | 2/23/03

[knak]

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) - A police officer searching for robbery suspects on the beach drove over two tourists Saturday, killing one and critically injuring the other.

Miami Beach police officer George Varon was driving a marked sports utility vehicle along the crowded shores, searching for two robbery suspects believed to be on the beach. He apparently didn't see two French s

isters lying in the sand, police said.

Stephanie and Sandrine Tunc were taken to a hospital, where Stephanie, 27, died. Sandrine, 26, was listed in critical condition Saturday evening. Police said the sisters, who lived in Britain, were on vacation.

Several witnesses said the officer's actions were reckless and that he wasn't using a siren.

``The cop was just running around like a crazy man,'' Stacy Kandell told WPLG-TV in Miami. ``I don't know what he was doing to run over two girls.''

Officials said speed did not appear to be a factor in the death.

Varon, a seven-year veteran, was placed on administrative leave following the accident, said Bobby Hernandez, Miami Beach police spokesman.

A decade ago, another European sunbather was killed by a police car on a Florida beach. Christa Lina Emilie, 67, of Berlin, was accidentally hit and killed by a police car in New Smyrna Beach on March 29, 1993.

[RightWhale]

This cop is a ******* idiot

Should be reassigned to cleaning out the K-9 kennels, but that is probably beyond his capability as well.

[Willie Green]

Good thing they were French, otherwise there might be disciplinary action.

I reaaally need to get my bifocals checked.

My first thought was: "Who but the French would name their daughter "Sardine"???