Parents of sisters crushed by police SUV arrive from Paris

Miami Herald ^ | February 24, 2003 | KARL ROSS AND ANDREA ELLIOTT kross@herald.com

[Cincinatus' Wife]

The parents of two French sisters crushed by a police sports utility vehicle as they sunned in Miami Beach arrived in Miami from Paris late Sunday and rushed to the hospital to see their surviving daughter.

City officials greeted Claude and Marina Tunc at Miami International Airport and drove them to Jackson Memorial Hospital. Investigators, meanwhile, tried to piece together how the Miami Beach police SUV ran over the two sisters: Stephanie Tunc, 27, who was killed, and Sandrine Tunc, 26, who was in critical condition at Jackson.

Beachgoers who witnessed the incident said the women were visible before the SUV trampled them.

''I heard them scream . . . It was unreal. I thought the officer saw them and was going to stop. The girls didn't hear him coming,'' said one of the witnesses, a woman in her 50s from Cork, Ireland, who did not want her name published.

Both sisters, French citizens, lived in London.

The accident was at least the third incident in the past 10 years that a Miami Beach city vehicle ran over and seriously injured sunbathers.

In April 1999, another city vehicle ran over a pregnant woman on the beach at nearly the identical spot.

The woman, Lupe Eyde-Tucker, survived and gave birth, despite suffering a crushed pelvis, broken ribs and head injuries after being hit by a city beach patrol officer driving a Ford Bronco.

A Peruvian tourist was run over in November 1993 by a Beach Patrol vehicle while sunbathing near 74th Street.

At the heart of the police inquiry now under way is how Officer George Varon, 36, didn't see the sisters, who were lying on the sand near a lifeguard station off Ocean Drive in the vicinity of 14th Street.

It's unclear if the sun impaired Varon's vision or if the victims were somehow hidden from view. Miami Beach police spokesman Det. Bobby Hernandez said he could not discuss details of the investigation.

Varon is on administrative leave until the investigation is finished. There have been no internal affairs complaints made against the seven-year veteran, according to police records.

Witnesses and colleagues said Varon was distraught.

''It was a pure accident,'' one said. ``I feel really sorry for the policeman.''

Hernandez said that departmental guidelines allow police and rescue vehicles onto the area occupied by bathers during emergencies only.

Miami Beach City Manager Jorge Gonzalez said Varon was responding to an alert for two men who robbed a man rollerblading at 18th Street and Washington Avenue around 12:30 p.m. Gonzalez said he did not know what was stolen.

Gonzalez said the perpetrators did not use weapons. He said police received two calls -- the first stating the men boarded a bus, the second stating they were headed toward the beach.

Police officials and lifeguards have an ''interlocking'' communications system using Motorola walkie-talkies.

When a lifeguard at 14th Street told police of subjects matching the robbers' description, police zeroed in on the scene. Varon was dispatched because he was the only officer driving a four-wheel drive vehicle, city officials said. Other police vehicles followed, but remained on the hard-sand area. Gonzalez said Varon was not in hot pursuit of the suspects.

A day after the accident, those who witnessed and returned to the beach Sunday were still shaken up.

The Irish woman and her husband were interviewed Sunday near the spot of the accident on South Beach, where they were the day before, they said.

The couple said the white SUV was moving slowly -- ''just a crawl'' -- when it sliced through the sands of South Beach, leaving the hard sand area and moving in a direct line toward the 14th Street life guard's tower.

The couple and a third witness said Sunday that the police vehicle was southbound when it hit the women.

All three said the sisters were clad only in swimsuits and were not covered by a towel. They were lying on their backs with their heads to the north and feet pointing south.

The third witness, Len Zaiser, questioned why the officer tried to negotiate the beach's sandy contours amid a gaggle of sunbathers.

''That was really sick,'' Zaiser said. ``When I saw it, I thought he was stuck in the sand and trying to get something from under the tires.''

Zaiser said that only when he got closer did he see the young women pinned beneath the vehicle. They made no sound, he said.

The women had been in Miami Beach a few days before checking into the Clay Hotel on Española Way late Friday.

On Sunday, city and police officials said they would help with funeral arrangements for the older sister.

Herald staff writer Elaine de Valle contributed to this report.

[A_perfect_lady]

Quite frankly, my biggest fear about being pulled over by a cop is that he/she might shoot me as I reach for my drivers license in my wallet in the next seat...

I kind of get that way too. When I get pulled over (which doesn't happen very often, thankfully) I sit there with my hands on the wheel and don't move an inch or say a word except in response to orders. Roll my window down? Okay. Give you my license? Okay. Verrrry slooooooowly. Registration? That's in my glove box. I am now reaching verrrrry slooooowly to my glove box with my right hand while my left hand stays on the wheel. Pushing the button now. Letting it fall open now. Letting the nice officer have a look first. Reaching in verrrrrry carefully now.... left hand still on wheel.....

[FirstTomato]

Oops! Now that I posted that I thought Brega was Hispanic, I recall his background may have been Portuguese, which isn't "hispanic". My bad. I had this information on my computer, but after doing a quick search can't find it. If I find definite info, I'll post it.

Drat these too-quick typing fingers! bad! bad! bad!

[uncbuck]

Are you an anarchist? Do you believe we do not need police? What other main solution do you see to crime prevention?
Do you believe that OJ was framed by Mark Furman?
Do you know any police officers? Have you ever spoken to one about his/her philosophy? Have you ever known several before they were police, then after they became police, watched as they went from optomistic to pessimistic?
I'm not familiar with the case you mention, Brega and Hourichi. Inlighten me. Were you personally involved?
I am familiar with the Faulkner case. Are you?
I agree that SOME police officers are corrupt, but not that ALL are. That SOME do get away with murder, but not ALL do.
In stead of dwelling on the foible of our system, how about dwelling on solutions. Why do police get , in your words, special treatment? Is it because there is a vast conspiracy?

[AppyPappy]

I'm glad I live where I do. They don't shoot us, even if we do reach for the glove box.

[Taliesan]

Now I have had some very unpleasant encounters with them and so has my daughter.

These stories always amaze me. I've lived 46 years and managed to have never had an encounter with a policeman that was in any way "unpleasant".

What DO you people do that a ruckus just follows you around? Maybe you are the unstable variable.

[ghostkatz]

I fear criminals too. At least I might have a chance to defend myself against a criminal. But I am still very uneasy about cops. I did get pulled over recently by a sheriff's deputy. It was a late Saturday nite, the first time in years that I attended a cultural event at night (John Two Hawks concert). I had a 30 mile drive on rural roads with deer everywhere. I always drive 40-45 mph under these conditions. Too many deer-car collisions. A vehicle followed me about 12 miles closely tail-gating and "romping", and acting as if they would pass then swing quickly back in behind me. Scared me. I was nearly to the turn off to my place (5 more miles dirt backroads) The car suddenly dropped back and turned off, and a sheriffs car pulled right in behind me. He turned on his lights, I pulled over, I instinctivley turned on my interior lights, put both hands high on the steering wheel and did not move. He asked me if I knew I was driving 40-45 mph. I told him, yes, I did, b/cuz I was hoping to avoid impacts w/ deer. He rubbed his chin and said, oh, didn't think about that, you're right, he was just "worried" about me. He got close enough to tell I had not been drinking (or smoking). He was polite but I was scared. He did'nt even ask to see my license thankfully.I did ask if he happened to notice the odd behaviour of the vehicle that had been following me. He said yeah, he did, I said well, maybe you should have checked them out. Humpppp.

[A_perfect_lady]

What Did Chief Moose do wrong

Was he the one who assumed the D.C. sniper must be an Angry White Male?

[A_perfect_lady]

I'm glad I live where I do. They don't shoot us, even if we do reach for the glove box.

Well, so far so good here too. Don't get me wrong, I don't think the cops are out to get ME. I just think some of them are out to get SOMEONE and I don't want to be the first one to startle them. LOL!

[ghostkatz]

Well, that is the really strange part. I really don't know. I don't know why I have had such experiences. My daughter was a cute, petite "blonde" with a cool car. Police would be going the opposite direction, turn around and stop her. The most memorable instance this very thing happened. He made my daughter dump out her purse, he pulled her back seats out, emptied the trunk,dumped her belongings all over the place, frisked her male passenger. Then gave her a ticket for one of the lights being out on rear lisenseplate. She had no drugs, alcohol, weapons, AND NO WARRANTS!!!. She did have a valid license, registration, and insurance. This was in Ft Worth TX. My bad experiences were mainly there.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Yes it does. I guess in a perfect world we'd have the right equipment at just the right time.

[from occupied ga]

Are you an anarchist?

Are you a fascist?

Do you believe we do not need police?

Not nearly as many and we don't need secret police at all. When I see how few burglaries are solved, and I see the police working speed traps to raise revenue for the county I question their role.

Do you believe that OJ was framed by Mark Furman?

No, do you?

Do you know any police officers?

Not that it's relevant or even any of your business, but yes several current and former.

Have you ever spoken to one about his/her philosophy?

Yes again.

Have you ever known several before they were police, then after they became police, watched as they went from optomistic to pessimistic?

No.

I'm not familiar with the case you mention, Brega and Hourichi.

Two separate cases. Hourichi was the FBI sniper who murdered Vicki Weaver. Brega was the FEEB who stopped the wrong guy for a bank robbery told him to get out of the car and then when he went to undo his seat belt shot him in the face with an M-16 last year in Baltimore. Not the first guy Brega shot either.

Inlighten me.

Try searching on the web Chris Brega and Lon Hourouchi. True enlightenment is something that you have to achieve on your own.

Were you personally involved?

No. Do you have to be personally involved in something to know about it? Was there an American Revolution? I bet you know about it ever though you weren't personally involved.

Faulkner case. Are you?

Never heard of it.

. That SOME do get away with murder, but not ALL do.

There is the problem in a nutshell. SOME get away with it. NONE should get away with it. Police should be held to a much HIGHER standard than ordinary citizens because of the powers they represent. Not a lower standard.

In stead of dwelling on the foible of our system, how about dwelling on solutions.

What do you suggest - giving them a "get out of jail free card?" What about the DEA agents (plain clothes unmarked cars) who shot the 14 year old girl in the head and killed her just last week for not stopping.

I've got your solution. And here it is: Make the police responsible for their actions. If thek kill an innocent let them be tried just as though you or I did the deed.

[ghostkatz]

That's pretty much my thinking too.

[AAABEST]

He said Cops aren't held accoutable for their actions and "mistakes". You said he must believe in Santa. He asked you to point out where they do. You couldn't and instead tap danced. You lose the argument.

Now tell us all what you think would have happened if you would have ran over that girl. First of all, you're not even allowed to drive on that beach. Only the princes and the lords are allowed to bring their vehicles there.

So you'd be ticketed for driving on the beach, jailed for vehicular manslaughter, and sued into poverty. Equal justice under the law?

[AppyPappy]

I'm not allowed to give out speeding tickes either. I guess there is no justice.

[uncbuck]

The Preamble to the constitution generalises the parameters of which the powers, more clearly spelled out in the artilcles are based. The question was are those Departments of the Government constitutional? Are they unconstitutional?

WE THE PEOPLE...

If the Education industry were dominated by conservative points of view would you be against it? Do you not believe that we have a right to an education? Most of the education your childern receive is set forth by STATE governments. Should the DOE exist? Not in the federal form, but neither should the welfare department, social security, unemployment insurance,etc. Without education, you would probably not have learned to read. Would not have an understanding of our constitution. May not even know it exists. Do/will you send your children to school? Or even Home school them. If so, What will you base that education on? BTW, I'm not in education, I use my degrees in the construction industry, the REAL world. I agree that the education that our children recieve is TOO liberal, but do WE THE PEOPLE not elect our school boards?


If the drug war was successful would you be against it? I agree that the DEA has too much power. Elected politicians gave that power to them. Confrontation of the government with regards to civil rights granted in the constitution is sorely lacking, mostly because the majority of THE PEOPLE want drugs and such off the streets. They look the other way.

Do you believe that an industry has the right to polute the waterways, ground, air? Do we not have a duty to keep our nation clean for our posterity? If this is unconstitutional, than the entire national park system is illegal. Companies can blow whatever they want into the air, water ground. Don't believe for a second that there are americans out there who wouldn't think once about doing this without laws to enforce clean air, water, grounds. The MAJORITY of the PEOPLE want to regulate the environment.

It was a MAJORITY of THE PEOPLE that wanted the constitution, not all of the people.

If the officer in question was negligent, then he should be punished appropriatly. BUT the constitution was written to protect his rights as well as yours.

[from occupied ga]

I'm not allowed to give out speeding tickes either. I guess there is no justice.

And this is relevant how? Do you equate the power to give speeding tickets to being allowed to run over and kill someone?

I know of two and only two instances in the last ten years where any cop had any personal consequences for criminal actions, and both of these were high profile things where the victim was black and the race baiters got in on the act. Normally there are no consequences for any action taken by police. Sure the taxpayers get it in the shorts, but the cop(s) who caused the problem go free.

[uncbuck]

Police should be held accountable for there actions, but blaming all police for the transgretions of a few is wrong. They are granted rights under the constitution just as we are. To try this officer here, without all the facts, and say he will not be held accountable is wrong.
Only time will tell.

I am dissappointed in liberatarians, because I feel that they attack the republican party, instead of joining it against a common enemy (the Dems). If the majoirty of Liberitarians joined the republican party or at least voted with it, they would pull it more to the right. Instead they deviding the conservatives, and allowing the liberals to win. Hence we have the social welfare state we live in today.

[uncbuck]

You are a monday morning quarterback.

The police hotlines recieved thousands of calls, determining which tips were genuine and which were not, was not an easy task.

I noticed that you don't have a location in your profile, but I'm sure you have an accent to someone. That you use colloquialisms. Proper diction of the language does not mean a man is intellegent. Nor does improper.

I don't know Cheif Moose, don't know if he is intelligent, a PHD does not make him so. But the capture of the snipers was completed, maybe it could have been done earlier, but we will never know. The object in studying history, is to not repeat it when it hase a bad out come. Not to judge it when it has an outcome we are not satified with.

[from occupied ga]

Do you not believe that we have a right to an education?

No absolutely not. You do not have a right to an education, a living wage, a vacation, health care, affordable housing or any of the other wealth transfer schemes that government uses to justify it's greed.

The MAJORITY of the PEOPLE want to regulate the environment.

The hell with the majority. Majority determination of anything is two wolves and a sheep voting on what's for dinner. Majority rule is mob rule. Our constitution does NOT set the US up as a democracy, but rather a consitiutional republic. The Bill of rights is an enumeration of what government CAN'T do, not a list of things that greedy whiners feel is owed to them by others.

[uncbuck]

I don't know, was he?