 |
 |
to fill out a simple form to connect to Personal Injury Lawyers in your area.
|
|
|
|
|
Ruttley v. Lee5/17/2000
ds assistance. Deputy Roddy had his lights and sirens on when he crossed the intersection of Ames Boulevard and Barataria Boulevard. After that, he turned his siren off, however, he left his headlights and four strobe lights on.
Deputy Roddy was traveling at about 50-60 miles an hour, and he could not see the intersection because there were cars in his way. Deputy Roddy attributed the traffic as the main contributing factor of the accident. He saw six or seven cars northbound on Ames Boulevard as he was approaching that intersection. He testified that he saw a "blur" pulling out from Pritchard Street and he slammed on the brakes, however, he could not avoid crashing into Stacey's vehicle.
The Parish of Jefferson presented the testimony of Dr. Joseph D. Blaschke, who was stipulated to as an expert in transportation engineering, highway safety, and accident reconstruction. Dr. Blaschke testified that he examined the accident that occurred on September 10, 1993, by examining the accident report and photographs. He also read the depositions, inspected the site, and reviewed the surveyor's drawing.
Dr. Blaschke testified that he understood that this was an intersection accident involving a police car that was traveling southbound on Ames Boulevard and an automobile traveling westbound on Pritchard Street. Stacey, the driver of the automobile, stopped at the intersection and was in the process of crossing Ames Boulevard when this accident occurred.
At the time of the accident, the weather was good, the road was dry, and there were several vehicles on Ames Boulevard that were traveling both north and south of the intersection. Apparently, Stacey entered the intersection right in front of Ms. Hawkins's car while Ms. Hawkins was traveling northbound on Ames Boulevard. Dr. Blaschke testified that it was an unique decision because Stacey would have to yield to cars on Ames Boulevard. Dr. Blaschke testified that Deputy Roddy was traveling about 60 miles an hour and probably saw Stacey's vehicle at about 150 feet away from the point of impact.
Based on the photos, Mr. Blaschke opined that a driver at the stop sign at Ames Boulevard could see up to 300 feet. Dr. Blaschke did not attempt to place a car at the intersection coming southbound on Ames Boulevard or westbound on Pritchard Street.
AASHTO guidelines provide that the driver approaching the intersection should have seven seconds to see the vehicle approaching and the sight distance should be ten feet times the speed limit. He testified that the minimum sight line at the Ames Boulevard/Pritchard Street intersection is about 300 feet.
Dr. Blaschke testified that Stacey was about 12 feet from the edge line. However, Dr. Blaschke admitted that if a driver is 10 feet from the edge of the road and only sees 150 feet, then the road is a trap because it may not be possible to see an oncoming vehicle. Dr. Blaschke opined that the accident was not caused by sight obstructions.
Ernest Ruttley, Jr., Stacey's brother, testified that Stacey lived with him and Mrs. Ruttley. He further testified that they were a close family and that Stacey was the baby of the family. He also testified that the car that Stacey drove was titled in his name, but he let her have it to drive their mother when necessary.
Sandra Ruttley Bolotte testified that she lives near her mother's house and she saw her sister Stacey often. She further testified that Stacey was godmother to her middle son, Darren. Ms. Bolotte testified that Stacey was really close to her mother. On the day of the accident, Ms. Bolotte testified that a police officer brought her and her husband to the accident scene. At the
Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Louisiana Personal Injury Attorneys
Personal Injury Lawyers
|
| |
to fill out a simple form to connect to Personal Injury Lawyers in your area.
|
|