A stolen car driven by a 15 year-old-boy ended up wrapped in a light pole after hitting two taxis, killing a 16 years old passenger and another 17 years old lying 'brain dead' in hospital, both friends were passenger in one of the taxis. Both drivers suffered minor injuries. The driver of the stolen car also died on the scene... A few days ago, I made a comment in one of my regulars favourite blog sites in the Philippines ‘inside the mind of snglguy regarding the cops and robbers and the cars chases’ and here is the particular entry.
This is about the protocol of Police chases and when not to do it to avoid injuries or fatalities to the innocents public.
Today, a family is deciding if to take their 17-year-old daughter out of life support after a suffering some serious injuries early Saturday morning where her friend and fellow passenger in a taxi, 16 years old, died on the scene, including a l5 year old boy, driving a stolen car, hitting a light pole and after hitting the two other vehicles (taxis), where the other two teenagers where on board in one of them. The taxi drivers, escaped with minor injuries.
Initial reports, said that the police received a gun call, and saw a car speeding by them and decided to follow the car. And the chase ensued. It is not known yet if the boy was involved in the gun call.
The Province’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU) is taking over investigation. SIU is a civilian agency that investigates incident involving police and civilians resulting in injuries and fatalities.
There is an outstanding Protocol regarding Police chase that serves as guidelines to all police forces in the Province. But that still leaves on the judgement of officers concern to initiate the chase or not.
Now the Provincial Premier is voicing concern that the current Protocol may require further reviews while the families of the victims demand from the city mayor to call for the Inquiry into the incidents.
Three young lives, two are now gone, one innocent, one a suspect, and one lying brain dead and the family yet to make another painful decision. And in the quite of an early morning hours, such tragedy is an unimaginable, to the families of the victims and to the Police Officers who may in their best intention would realized that such would end up in lose of two young lives and the prospect of losing another. And the Public to face another Long and Trying time if an Inquiry is called to review the protocol and guidelines for Police Chases...
For links to the stories clik Canada’s biggest daily:
http://www.thestar.com/News/article/221075
Update: The Family had announced that the decision to take their daughter off life support had been made. "she is no longer with us"....
