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Was Central Park Cop Scooter Speeding During Crash?
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 6, 2011
Modified Mar 6, 2011
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By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 6, 2011
Modified Mar 6, 2011
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Last week, a police officer was suffered neck and back injuries after his scooter—the kind that looks more like a little golf cart—crashed into a light signal pole in Central Park at West 77th Street and West Drive. The cops told DNAinfo that the light pole "fell on top of the police scooter, causing the officer to lose control of the three-wheeled vehicle and tip it over onto its side." But a runner told a different story.
Stephane, who was near the accident scene, said the cop was speeding (chasing a cyclist, perhaps?). According to DNAinfo, he "said he saw the scooter whiz by, cutting off a white SUV from the left, then veer into the bike lane before smashing into the pole." Stephane believes, "The driver lost control because he was going too fast and tried to maneuver in a way that is not compatible with a three-wheeled vehicle. Upon impact, the pole was uprooted from the ground and flew into the air." He added, "I could have been killed by that scooter. I was thinking it would be a bike or taxi, but not a cop's scooter. Luckily for me, I didn't start running five seconds earlier than I did."
The cops claim another witness saw the pole hit the scooter first.
Tagged
bicyclist
central park
cop scooter
crash
light pole
nypd scooter
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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