Truck driver kills police officer in the line of duty

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On July 17, a New Jersey police officer was killed while checking for speeders on the shoulder of Route 17 in Waldwick. At the time of the accident, the 32-year-old police officer had been operating radar in an unmarked police car near the intersection of Bergen Avenue. When the driver of a tractor-trailer lost control around 1:30 a.m., the police car was struck and pushed into a retaining wall. Following the trucking accident, the 28-year-old truck driver dialed 911, and emergency personnel pronounced the police officer dead at the scene. Investigators have not yet determined why the trucker drove onto the shoulder, but he has been charged for second-degree vehicular homicide. No evidence was found to indicate that the truck driver attempted to brake prior to the collision. The chief of police at the deceased officer's department offered some statements to a local news station. He explained that the group was tight-knit and that the man's fellow officers were in grieving. He went on to say that the victim had been an outstanding and proactive officer and will be sorely missed. The victim was a five-year police veteran and a veteran of the Marine Corps. He was killed in his hometown. A person who survives injuries from a trucking accident may have a case for filing a personal injury lawsuit. In some cases, a trucker or trucking company may be found liable for the accident due to truck driver fatigue. Other times, negligent truck maintenance could be the cause that is found to have resulted in an accident. An attorney may be able to help an injured victim to identify all of the liable parties that may be held responsible for repaying damages. Source: CBS New York, "Truck Driver Charged In Death Of Waldwick Police Officer Christopher Goodell", July 17, 2014