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Injured Tenn. Officer May be Disciplined for Not Wearing Seat Belt

June 06, 2011 |

A Murfreesboro police officer could face disciplinary action for not wearing a safety belt during a Friday crash that resulted in injuries to him and another driver.

A Tennessee Highway Patrol crash report indicates Officer Frank Hernandez wasn't wearing his seatbelt when he was involved in a crash with Murfreesboro resident Khamphan Phanthala, who the THP report indicates was at fault in the crash.

Phanthala was driving her 1992 Nissan Maxima north on South Academy Street and failed to stop at a stop sign, entering the path of Hernandez's Murfreesboro Police Department-issued Ford Crown Victoria as he drove east on Vine Street, according to THP Trooper Rick Jones.

Hernandez T-boned Phanthala's vehicle, sending her into a utility pole and a fire hydrant, according to the THP report.

Source: Murfreesboro Daily News Journal

Tags: Murfreesboro (Tenn.) PD, Police Vehicle Accidents

Comments (2)

Displaying 1 - 2 of 2
Donald Wallace @ 6/6/2011 4:14 PM Tennessee should give the option of wearing seat belts to the officer. There are times when being belted in could be more of a problem than not. Getting to ones weapon can be comprimised. There are enough problems in a patrol car after all; buckle up on a high speed chase.
Laura @ 6/14/2011 3:11 PM Being departmental policy and state law... I can understand why they are considering disciplinary action. But the charge and fine shold be no worse than if he was issued a ticket for not wearing his seat belt.

Displaying 1 - 2 of 2

Donald Wallace @ 6/6/2011 4:14 PM

Tennessee should give the option of wearing seat belts to the officer. There are times when being belted in could be more of a problem than not. Getting to ones weapon can be comprimised. There are enough problems in a patrol car after all; buckle up on a high speed chase.

Laura @ 6/14/2011 3:11 PM

Being departmental policy and state law... I can understand why they are considering disciplinary action. But the charge and fine shold be no worse than if he was issued a ticket for not wearing his seat belt.

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