Oregon Trooper Strikes Stroller Carrying Small Child

The trooper was enroute to a disturbance on a Greyhound bus when he struck the stroller.

(JUNCTION CITY, Ore.) - The Lane County Sheriff's Office is investigating a serious injury traffic crash involving an OSP officer that struck a stroller being pushed by a woman attempting to cross the highway.

A small child, age and sex not confirmed, was seriously injured and transported to a Eugene-area hospital. It happened Friday evening on Highway 99 on the north end of Junction City.

Around 8:15 PM Friday, an OSP trooper was northbound in a marked patrol car on Highway 99 at the north end of Junction City where Highway 99E intersects with Highway 99W.

The trooper was enroute to a report of a disorderly person on a Greyhound bus that had stopped on the southbound shoulder of Interstate 5 near milepost 208, about ten miles north of Eugene.

As the OSP trooper was northbound, a woman pushing a stroller with a small child was crossing the highway in front of the patrol car. The patrol car struck the stroller seriously injuring the child.

The involved OSP officer who is assigned to the Springfield Area Command office was not injured. The condition of the woman is not known but early information indicates she may not have been injured.

The Lane County Sheriff's Office is conducting the investigation with the assistance of the Lane County District Attorney's Office and Oregon State Police.

No names or additional information will be released tonight. Additional information will be released upon authorization of the District Attorney's office.

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Henry Ruark September 1, 2007 1:30 pm (Pacific time)

Neal et al: "Right on", friend. Agree with large responsibility on trooper. Intent was to share own experience, since early '40s, with perhaps 5,000 or so in force-array across nation. Among allathoseguys, never met one not fully aware and doing best possible...in very tough working situation where life, literally, hangs on own rapid response. Wonder is we have so few such situations...allamore reason to seek out full facts when they do occur. Appreciate your clean and clear insights, anytime...

Neal Feldman September 1, 2007 1:08 pm (Pacific time)

True Henry but at the risk of quoting comic books "With great power comes great responsibility". If an officer (or anyone) is in such situations they need to exercise the utmost care and competence or tragic things can happen. And again not to judge ahead of all the facts but 'it is a tough job' does not excuse things to me at least. I have seen that used as an excuse for great wrongs (like the poor guy on his doorstep riddled like Dillinger with over 40 rounds for pulling out his wallet. Last I checked no one was ever held accountable for that incident. Do you know anyone other than the poor dead schmuck who was?

Henry Ruark September 1, 2007 10:32 am (Pacific time)

Understand now trooper was comparatively inexperienced, over-speed in marked area, by word from covering person. NOT authoritative-yet, but as always must await detailed verification prior to ANY judgment. IF you've ever ridden on such rapid-decision ride you will understand necessity driving determined trooper in extremely dangerous action as demanded by his job-connected sworn responsibilities.

Henry Ruark September 1, 2007 8:58 am (Pacific time)

Neal et al: This story typical of ongoing journalist dilemma on WHEN to "tell it true". Best possible handling is factual, as this one does: Puts event on record, shares what is known, prepares readers for details yet to come...and thus emphasizes precisely what yr Comment does, "find out facts before making judgment" !! DO believe this is nice handling of tough situation.

Neal Feldman September 1, 2007 4:23 am (Pacific time)

She may not be physically injured but you are there pushing your baby in a stroller and WHAM the stroller is shot out of your hands by a car if you are human on any level YOU ARE FREAKING OUT. I do not know if she was wrong or not. I did not see in the article whether the lights and siren were in use or not. If they were she should have been aware and I would say likely her inattentiveness caused her child great harm... hopefully never to be repeated. If the siren and lights were NOT in use I have to ask the officer WHY NOT as well as what was he looking at instead of the stroller crossing in front of him (unless she popped it out out of nowhere of course). Too little detail to really assess but mainly you do not enter a street unless it is safe especially with a child so my initial assessment is the mother is in the wrong.

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