North
Chicago cop sued in fatal wrong-way crash
CHICAGO — The mother of a man killed in a wrong-way Lake
Shore Drive crash is suing the North Chicago police officer who allegedly
caused the wreck while driving drunk off-duty.
Police accuse Terrell Garrett, 35, of driving his Chevrolet
Trailblazer more than 60 mph the wrong way in a 45 mph zone when he crashed
into two cars March 15.
Joaquin Garcia, 25, and his friend Fabian Torres, 27, were
both killed in the crash between Belmont and Diversey avenues.
Garrett, a five-year veteran of the North Chicago Police
Department, suffered a broken hip and was later charged with two counts of
reckless homicide and two counts of aggravated DUI.
Authorities said his blood-alcohol level was 0.184, more
than twice the legal limit.
Garcia was a student at Malcolm X College and was studying
to be a surgical technician, relatives said.
His mother, Cecilia M. Garcia, filed a wrongful death
lawsuit Tuesday against Garrett, accusing him of negligence leading to her
son’s death. The suit seeks at least $100,000 in damages, including compensation
for Garcia’s medical and funeral expenses. Garrett remains held on $500,000
bond and will next appear in court Friday, according to the Cook County
Sheriff’s Office.
Cop
with alcohol on breath suspended
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (WOOD) - A Battle Creek police officer
who was a passenger in a 2012 drunk driving crash has been placed on
administrative leave for an incident involving alcohol.
Officer Jennifer Appl is accused of being drunk when she
showed up to work at 10 p.m. Saturday.
A coworker noticed the smell of alcohol on her breath and
officials at the Battle Creek Police Department administered a field sobriety
breath test. That test showed her blood alcohol content level (BAC) was .13.
They then called Michigan State Police to investigate per
standard procedure because the department cannot investigate one of its own
employees.
Several hours after the first breath test, Appl agreed to a
Breathalyzer test given by MSP officials. She blew a .07, according to Calhoun
County Prosecutor David Gilbert. Only that test is admissible in court, Gilbert
said. He also said it's logical to assume Appl's BAC was higher earlier.
Appl has been charged with misdemeanor operating under the
influence and possession of a firearm under the influence of alcohol. She could
be officially arraigned Tuesday.
Appl was placed on paid administrative leave over the
weekend, Battle Creek Police Chief Jackie Hampton confirmed.
Appl's employment with BCPD, with which she has been an
officer for four years, is now in question. Hampton on Monday declined to
comment further on her future until an internal investigation is complete.
Hampton said the incident will go to the Human Resources
Department and the City Manager's Office for further review.
Appl was the passenger in the July 31 crash in which a
fellow officer crashed through mailboxes and street signs. At the time,
according to a police report obtained last year, her BAC was .369. Driver William
Gensch's BAC was .285.
Gensch was disciplined in connection to that crash, but Appl
was not.
Appl has previously had trouble with alcohol, records
obtained last year by 24 Hour News 8 show. She lied about failing to report to
work in May 2012, the records say, because she was "too embarrassed to say
[she was] in the hospital due to alcohol."
In a letter dated July 27, four days before the crash,
Battle Creek Police Chief Jackie Hampton wrote to Appl that he had suspended
her for 15 days. He also threatened to fire her for future "untruthful
statements."
"The allegations against you are extremely
serious," Hampton wrote. "I am especially concerned in regards to
these allegations being related to the consumption of alcohol, and encourage
you to take part in the services that have previously been offered to
you."
Appl signed that letter on Aug. 1, the day after the crash.
Duluth
Police Officer Charged with Hit and Run
Duluth, MN (NNCNOW.com) --- A 15-year- veteran of the Duluth
Police Department has been charged with hit and run following an incident outside
of a Duluth bar in March.
Officer Brian Jones, 50, was charged after police say he
backed his car into a parked twice in the parking lot of Mitch's Bar and Grill
on March 14.
When authorities were called to the scene, Jones was no
longer there but his car was still parking in the lot.
The case was turned over to the Lake County Attorney's
Office and Jones was placed on administrative leave but has since returned to
his regular work duties.
The Duluth Police Department is currently conducting an administrative
investigation into the matter.
Lee
County, Florida: A deputy has been arrested and charged with
possession of steroids, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. His salary has been
stopped and the sheriff plans to let him go as quickly as possible. ow.ly/jVTNv
St.
Joseph, Michigan: An officer who pleaded guilty to two counts of
larceny for taking prescription drugs from the county jail’s clinic will not
serve jail time. He is currently on unpaid administrative leave. ow.ly/jVO7h
Monroe,
Louisiana: An 18-year veteran state police sergeant was arrested on a
variety of criminal violations, including narcotics distribution. “Thomas has
dishonored his oath, his organization, and more importantly the community he
swore to protect. We will push for the strongest possible punishment,” said the
superintendent of state police. ow.ly/jWyKu