Police Officer Is Indicted in Deadly Pileup on D.C. Beltway

[x635 4,066]

I found this story to be intersting and unique.

Officer Is Indicted in Deadly Pileup on Beltway

By Megan Greenwell

Washington DC Post Staff Writer

Thursday, February 14, 2008; A01

The Prince George's County police officer whose pursuit of a motorcyclist on the Capital Beltway in May led to a fatal seven-car pileup has been indicted on two counts of vehicular manslaughter, authorities announced yesterday.

Officer Scott Campbell, 47, faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of causing the deaths of two people in the crash on the Beltway's inner loop near Forestville. The wreck, one of the most horrific on the Beltway in recent memory, killed two friends, Kevin McCarter, 49, of Fort Washington and Sidney Clanton, 50, of Buffalo, and injured 15 others.

A grand jury heard evidence "regarding Officer Campbell's conduct leading up to the accident," said State's Attorney Glenn F. Ivey. "That convinced them that there may have been criminal wrongdoing."

Ivey did not elaborate, but several law enforcement sources have said that Campbell did not call the chase in to dispatchers, in apparent violation of the police department's policy on high-speed pursuits. A camera in his police cruiser recorded speeds of more than 120 mph as he drove briefly onto the shoulder and back onto the highway in pursuit of the motorcyclist, they said.

The indictment of an officer in connection with a police chase is extremely rare. Such cases more often lead to civil lawsuits against police departments or prosecution of fleeing motorists, said attorneys for people who have alleged police misconduct.

"I haven't ever heard of that happening," Greg Lattimer, a Washington-based lawyer, said of the indictment. "I find that very surprising, when charges have not been filed when clearly people have been shot to death. But we welcome any indication that police officers involved in questionable conduct will be held accountable."

Since taking office in 2002, Ivey has attempted to prosecute five police officers, including Campbell. He has obtained four indictments and one conviction.

Keith A. Washington, a former police corporal, is on trial in Upper Marlboro for shooting two furniture deliverymen, one fatally, at his home in Accokeek.

A home phone number for Campbell could not be found late yesterday, and it was unclear whether he had retained an attorney. Ivey said the officer is not in custody.

Vince Canales, president of the Prince George's police union, said the union will play a "support role" in the case, adding that the officer should not be presumed guilty. "The only thing I can say is that this is a tragedy for everyone involved, including Scott Campbell and his family," Canales said.

The incident began about 7 p.m. May 30, when Campbell, a seven-year veteran of the department on routine patrol, began chasing a speeding motorcycle near the Richie-Marlboro exit on the Beltway's outer loop.

Campbell's police cruiser slammed into McCarter and Clanton's sport-utility vehicle. The SUV flew over the guardrail and into traffic on the Beltway's inner loop, causing a series of crashes that closed down all lanes for almost five hours.

Under department policy, officers may engage in high-speed pursuits only if there is probable cause that the suspect used or threatened physical force or was involved in a hit-and-run accident resulting in serious injury or death.

Police spokeswoman Sharon Taylor declined to comment about the police investigation, which was passed to the state's attorney's office in October. Taylor said that the police department had worked hand in hand with Ivey's office and that officials "have faith in the process."

The motorcyclist fled after the crash, but a spokesman for Ivey's office said yesterday that investigators had interviewed the motorcyclist and about 20 other people. No charges have been filed against the motorcyclist or any other driver involved in the crash.

Ivey said the grand jury reviewed "reconstruction reports, physical evidence and testimony."

"It certainly is a tragedy anytime there's a loss of life in a traffic situation," he said. "Two men died on the way to a jazz concert."

Staff writer Avis Thomas-Lester and researcher Meg Smith contributed to this report.

[JBE 328]

Why hasn't the guy driving the motorcycle been charged?? His actions led to the chase. Just another case of a cop being prosecuted for doing their job.

[helicopper 1,050]

Why hasn't the guy driving the motorcycle been charged?? His actions led to the chase. Just another case of a cop being prosecuted for doing their job.

You took the words right out of my fingertips! Sounds like the new attorney general has an ax to grind with cops, too. Five indictments of cops in two years sounds like a lot to me.

Not to say that the cop is right or shouldn't be charged with something but the motorcyclist has to bear some responsibility!

[Billy 68]

I don't know. I almost always give the benefit of the doubt to the MOS in these kinds of cases but 120mph? That sounds pretty excessive. I would think that would only be necessary in pursuit of armed robberies and other felonies, not "speeding." But on the other hand, what was the motorcyclist doing? Was he endangering the public by driving at a high rate of speed? Perhaps weaving in and out of traffic etc to cause the pursuit? Interesting case.

[helicopper 1,050]

I don't know. I almost always give the benefit of the doubt to the MOS in these kinds of cases but 120mph? That sounds pretty excessive. I would think that would only be necessary in pursuit of armed robberies and other felonies, not "speeding." But on the other hand, what was the motorcyclist doing? Was he endangering the public by driving at a high rate of speed? Perhaps weaving in and out of traffic etc to cause the pursuit? Interesting case.

120 may seem like a lot but it really isn't. Plenty of tickets for speeds more than 100 MPH are written on the parkways in Westchester County and they're not nearly as user friendly as the DC beltways (traffic notwithstanding).

[ny10570 745]

120mph isn't enough to say reckless endangerment without info on road conditions, traffic, etc. I know the top speed of my last three cars and I haven't been to a track yet and these aren't cars that should be doing their top speed on the open road.

Edited February 20, 2008 by ny10570

[Oswegowind 17]

5 in the last 2 years, and PG county ain't got no crime...right! I mean, if it is blatantly ridiculous, that is one thing, in this case, I agree to the charge. I would like to know what the other 4 were for.

[GM911 0]

Under department policy, officers may engage in high-speed pursuits only if there is probable cause that the suspect used or threatened physical force or was involved in a hit-and-run accident resulting in serious injury or death.

I wonder why they only chase cars in certain situations??

Is this departmental policy over here too? I would think that if somebody is doing something illegal, they should face the penalty... honestly, this artice is pretty much suggesting I drive over to PG and, as long as I don't hit anyone along the way, drive as fast as I want without any risk of getting in trouble.

Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but I feel that cops should have every right to be in a high speed pursuit, under any and every circumstance!!

[Oswegowind 17]

I disagree, I think that the protect part of protect and serve includes innocent motorists that can be affected by the pursuit. If a speeder gets away and they are able to get a plate number or not, speeding is no reason to kill others not involved cause someone's ego gets the best of them. Let the guy go, he will get caught eventually!