Another Police Crown Vic Rearended, Explodes

[x635 4,066]

Officer's patrol car explodes after collision with suspected drunk driver

By The Associated Press

(7/24/04 - ARLINGTON, TX) — A police officer was hospitalized with second-degree burns on Friday after his patrol car exploded when it was hit by a sport utility vehicle driven by a suspected drunken driver. 

 

Officer Michael Moses, 30, had just pulled over a vehicle on Interstate 30 when his Ford Crown Victoria patrol car was struck from behind. He was in fair condition at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas on Friday night. 

Ricky Alan Cantrell, the SUV's 21-year-old driver, was arrested on two counts of suspicion of intoxication assault and was released on $50,000 bond on Friday night. He suffered minor injuries. 

His 23-year-old wife, Claire Cantrell, was in serious but stable condition at Parkland. 

Several motorists, including two off-duty police officers, helped pull Moses from the burning car. 

Since 1983, at least 18 police officers have died after their cars were hit from behind and the gas tanks burst into flames. 

All 146 of Arlington's patrol cars are fitted with gas tank shields, which Ford recommended in response to the string of fiery crashes. Moses' 2003 Crown Victoria was one of 40 in the fleet that had a factory-installed shield. 

Ford spokeswoman Kristen Kinley said dozens of Crown Victoria patrol cars are struck from behind each year with no resulting fire. 

"As long as there are drunk drivers and people speeding, there's no way to completely ensure that there will be no crashes and fires," she told The Dallas Morning News. "It's not the vehicle. It's the nature of the work that police do." 

[Truck4 48]

"It's not the vehicle. It's the nature of the work police do."

So, cops can EXPECT to get shot at, be treated like s***, be spit on, work crap hours in crap weather AND EXPECT that their car will explode. Fabulous.

[BFD1054 1,552]

Yeah, sounds like an awesome job experience Truck4....where can i sign up lol? Yeah, as a spokeswoman for Ford, that was a rather ignorant statement to make! I was glad that Ford started installing these gas tank "shields," but it seems too little too late. I'm sure the late Trooper Robert Ambrose' family would love to read that statement! Yes, police have a highly dangerous job, they know that, but they shouldn't have to also be thinking about their patrol car exploding! Maybe the "shields" aren't good enough, maybe something more should be done!

FORD - Fix Or Repair Daily, Found On Road Dead......sorry just had to add that

[Guest rreimund]

That's terrible. Makes me think of my friend who are on the job.

I always liked the old LT1 Caprices better. Unfortunately, now it's more than just a subjective preference.