Arkansas Woman Suing Over Trooper's PIT Maneuver During Traffic Stop
The trooper's action "constituted a reckless attempt to engage in conduct that created substantial risk of physical injury," the lawsuit says.
An Arkansas woman is suing over a trooper's use of a PIT maneuver during a traffic stop last July. Her vehicle was flipped onto its top after the PIT caused it to spin out and hit a concrete barrier dividing the highway.
Nicole Harper, 38, was two months pregnant at the time of the July 9 incident on Highway 167 in Jacksonville, AR.
Her lawyer Andrew Norwood said that Harper was told at the Emergency Room that her unborn baby had been killed in the crash. The doctor was in error and Harper's daughter was born in February, NBC reports.
Harper was going 84 mph in a 70-mph zone when Trooper Rodney Dunn turned on his siren and flashed lights for her to pull over, according to her lawsuit filed last month in Pulaski County Circuit Court.
Harper's legal team says dashcam video from Dunn's patrol vehicle shows her slowing, activating her blinkers and changing lanes to the right, so she could eventually pull over, Norwood said.
The trooper apparently believed she was running.
The trooper's action "constituted a reckless attempt to engage in conduct that created substantial risk of physical injury," the lawsuit says.
In the video, the trooper approached Harper's flipped car and as he helped her out of the wreckage asked: "Why didn't you stop?"
"Because I didn't feel like it was safe," she answered
The Arkansas drivers license manual urges motorists to pull "to the nearest/safest spot out of the traffic lane" when police are exercising a pullover.
Arkansas State Police declined NBC's request for comment.
More Patrol
When Do You Transport a Wounded Officer by Police Vehicle?
Time-sensitive injuries like penetrating trauma mean a wounded officer needs to reach a trauma center as soon as possible, and in some cases, that means transporting by police vehicle rather than waiting for EMS. What are the factors to consider in making that transport decision?
Read More →
Safariland Solis Rethinks Concealable Duty
What if Level I retention didn’t require a full duty rig? Safariland’s Solis delivers trusted ALS security in a streamlined OWB platform built for administrative and plainclothes professionals who need protection without the bulk.
Read More →
5 Things to Know When Buying Backup Lights for Patrol Use
What is the value of a backup light, and what do you need to consider when selecting one? These smaller lights are invaluable as a secondary or special-purpose light and can be easily carried in a pocket or clipped to MOLLE gear, a key chain, shirt, or a vest.
Read More →
363 Fallen Officers Honored During National Police Week
In case you missed NELOMF’s annual Candlelight Vigil, here are all 363 names of the fallen officers whose names were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial this year.
Read More →
NYPD Officers Who Responded Quickly During IED Incident Recognized as NLEOMF Officers of the Month
Chief Aaron Edwards and Sgt. Luis Navarro were recognized by NLEOMF as Officers of the Month for their response during an IED incident and their actions that helped prevent harm to the public.
Read More →
National Police Survey Reveals How Americans View Policing Today
A new national survey offers a comprehensive look at how Americans view policing. The study uncovers public sentiment toward local vs. federal police, communications, crisis response, the use of AI in policing, and more.
Read More →
Streamlight TLR-7 X Selected as Standard Issue Pistol Light by Canadian Federal Police
The Canadian Federal Police will be adding a new duty pistol system, which will include Streamlight’s TLR-7 X and a Glock 45 MOS 7 pistol with a red dot sight.
Read More →
Fallen Law Enforcement Officers from Across the Country to be Honored During 38th Annual Candlelight Vigil on May 13th in Washington, D.C.
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) will honor 363 fallen officers who have died in the line of duty as their names are added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial during the annual Candlelight Vigil on May 13.
Read More →
What Should Be in Your IFAK?
What should every officer include in an IFAK? Sydney Vail, M.D., a veteran trauma surgeon and former SWAT surgeon, explains which components are needed and which are not, and stresses training.
Read More →
Olight Releases 2 New Baton Variants & the ArkPro Ultra Onyx Black
Olight has added two new lights to the Baton Series, the Baton 4 and the Baton Ultra. One new Baton features up to 1,600 lumens on turbo, and the other 1,800.
Read More →