Police officers crash

The two officers were responding to a burglary call. One had a green light and the other, a red one. So now the question--should the officer going through the red light have done something differently?

Phil Trent for the South Bend Police Department says Indiana laws allows law enforcement officers to proceed through a red light when sirens and lights are on. However, Trent says, South Bend Police Department's policies say an officer should proceed through a red light with caution and make sure the intersection is clear before moving forward at high speeds. Trent said the department doesn't know yet if either slowed down.

St. Joseph County's Fatal Alcohol Crash Team is investigating the case. Their report will be handed down to the South Bend Police Department's Accident Review Board to decide if either officer did something he shouldn't have.

The impact of the crash caused the cars to hit into two other civilian cars. Those people had been waiting at the intersection.

Pam and Merlin Waidner were in one of those cars. Merlin was back to work Friday, and Pam is doing fine, but sore and achy.

"It was really fast and sort of a blur. You know you were going, but had no control over it, and you just had to go with it," Waidner says.

"It was a scary thing but I feel really blessed because it could have been so much worse."

Zackary Buaschke, 28 years old from South Bend, was driving the other car. He was arrested for drinking and driving, but police say, had nothing to do with the cause of the accident.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 2, 2008 at 06:55 PM
The only answer from any police is denial, excuses and cover up!

Posted by: lady cop Location: south bend on Jan 1, 2008 at 10:11 PM
To Anonymous (who got 'turned around'): You couldn't have said it any better. I got your back. Anonymous who questioned dispatch: Until you know procedure, stop blaming dispatch for 'making them race through town during bad road conditions'. You didn't receive the call, you don't know their locations when the call came through, therefore you don't know what route they had to take to get to where they were going. Unless you're the officer in the car making that decision, you wouldn't know, therefore...don't criticize. To Anonymous who's worried about the $1,500,000 being spent on the accidents in police cars: why do you think they're in a hurry? It's to help people like YOU! Stop whining! To 'D': I think I've arrested you before. To Buck: If you kept a better watch on your kids, they wouldn't have to be warned. Anonymous who doesn't see any cop bashing: Hello? Open your eyes! To everyone else: Thanks for your support. People like you make the job alot easier. Much appreciation to you.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 31, 2007 at 05:24 PM
If you do not want to take responsibility turn in your badge.

Posted by: Firefighter Location: Elkhart on Dec 31, 2007 at 08:18 AM
County Cop...Officers make hundeds of emergency runs a month??? Firefighters make less???? Check run reports in South Bend, you may be surprised. Of course trucks go to the grocery stores just like cops go to diners and donut shops. Prayers go to the injured officers, BUT...if you have the red light,,you MUST gain control of the intersection...enough said

Posted by: 1cop Location: southbend on Dec 30, 2007 at 07:58 PM
Hate Cops? Next time your in trouble call a Crackhead!

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 29, 2007 at 08:37 PM
It does not sound to me like anyone is bashing the cops. Cops are placed in high trust and authority positions and not to often are accused of being wrong. The police department has not released the reports from the accident so people are making logical assumptions of what happened. Just because there was not a police officer at the scene other than the two cops involved does not eliminate fault. So far the only statements made by the police department have been excuses for the cops. It is also understandable people say it is a cover up when there are so many cops at the scene and they release no reports. So rather than accusing people of bashing cops and making excuses, be responsible and come up with a solution to cut down on this type of accident. This was a terrible event and people do not want to see it happen again.

Posted by: County Cop Location: Indiana on Dec 29, 2007 at 09:01 AM
I think that all of you who are bashing these officers need to take a look in the mirror. Each of you have bene in accideents, and as far as the firemen on here, let me show you some bad driving, follow a firemen to any call, and LOOKOUT! A firemen only makes a few runs a day, and forgets his vehicle outweighs most others. Volunteer Firemen are even worse, so again, to the "firemen" on here, remember you only make a few runs a day (and most are to the grocery store), and officers make hundreds a month. God Bless these officers, and a quick and safe healing!

Posted by: Annoyed Location: SB on Dec 28, 2007 at 06:35 PM
This is a terrible event that happened. Everyone that was involved is in my prayers. For all of you quoting IN driving laws for the Officers you need to take a close look at your own driving. Do you yield ALL the time to lights and sirens from emergency vehicles? How often do you hear them but can not see where they are coming from? Maybe the one officer with the red light did yield but couldn't see the other car coming for whatever reason. It is easy to pass judgement on people that are involved in an accident but unless you were truly there you have NO right to criticize.

Posted by: Livie Location: Osceola on Dec 28, 2007 at 11:17 AM
Thank you fireman, well said! They should at least yield at a red light with their lights and sirens on. This is only common sense!

Posted by: Buck Location: S. B. on Dec 28, 2007 at 12:23 AM
Make sure you tell your children to watch out for out of control police cars!

Posted by: fireman Location: st joe county on Dec 27, 2007 at 10:31 PM
these cops are idiots.... flat out idiots. A major rule in safety while driving an emergency vehicle is that the driver is to drive with due regard. for those people that have their head in the sand when it comes to the honest abe police of this fine city should go take or sit in on an E.V.O.c class offered he in st. joe county An emergency vehicle must always be operated with due regard for the safety of EVERYONE on the road!

Posted by: Buck Location: S. B. on Dec 27, 2007 at 08:20 PM
Instead of spending money on new vehicles these cops should be put on foot patrol in our neighborhoods.

Posted by: D Location: Plymouth on Dec 27, 2007 at 06:38 PM
Just because they have a bage.. they think they can do any thing they want...every cop in this world obay one rule

Posted by: Custer Location: South Bend on Dec 27, 2007 at 12:58 PM
South Bend, Mishawaka and all of St. Joseph county is a very violent and nasty place to live. It's time we all wake up and see the truth. This is one of the worst areas in Indiana to live because of high crime and violence. These officers were responding to yet another major crime in this area to protect life and or property. As many hours and miles Cops and Fireman drive, these things are going to happen. God Bless these Cops and the rest of us who live with violence everyday in St. Joseph County.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 27, 2007 at 04:52 AM
It seems there has been about one major accident a week caused by police this year. This has added up to at least $1,500,000.00 over the past year. The city police would not be in such a bad budget problem if the police officers would slow down and stop crashing the cities police vehicles!

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 26, 2007 at 06:12 PM
Police officers are placed in big authority positions. With the authority comes responsibility and accountability to the citizens of the community. This has nothing to do with how many police responded to this call. Why was there not even one cop downtown South Bend to respond to Gates? Why did dispatch make two cars race across town in bad road conditions? Now the cops are responsible and accountable to explain what went wrong in driving to Gates.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 26, 2007 at 02:38 AM
We will just have to wait and see the cops drug and alcohol test results. That is if the tests were properly taken at the scene and not destroyed evidence by now.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 24, 2007 at 06:20 AM
The cop is never wrong?

Posted by: Upset Location: South Bend on Dec 24, 2007 at 05:34 AM
Ok, I am quite upset that some of you pass judgement without knowing the facts. First of all, these officers are out there everyday risking their lives for you. They do have family members too, who count on them to come home every night. I am the family member of one of those injured. Would you stop and give them some credit for what they do. Also, one of the officers was sure that he had the green light. He wouldn't intentionally hurt anyone else or himself for that matter. Do you not think that he doesn't feel bad enough already. I would really appreciate it if you would be praying for his recovery this Christmas. He does have severe injuries and is undergoing major surgery today. I just ask that you would stop, and try and put yourself in someone elses shoes for a second before passing judgement.

Posted by: Bill Location: South Bend on Dec 24, 2007 at 12:48 AM
For those who have never worked a serious traffic crash or had to cut someone out of a car quit acting like you have a clue. As it happened, Indiana EMS was just down the road and were the first to respond to the crash to help save these people. I guess some of you don't understand the FAMILY that exists in both the law enforcement and fire service. When an officer is down, you can be certain that police will come from everywhere to help. I guess it is hard for some to understand that when you work closely with someone in life or death situations, you care. For the one who said it took 45mins for police to arrive, what type of crash was it? Where did it happen? What was the weather like? For those interested, Cpl. King is expected to have neck surgery Monday and it is expected to be a 5 hour surgery. Keep him in your prayers. Cpl. Stone is at home and has further doctor's appointments coming up.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 23, 2007 at 10:40 PM
Well, all you whiners have really turned me around. From now on, I will only do the speed limit on a signal 10 call. I will stop totally and completely at all lights regardless of color, I will NOT hurry to any call whatsoever. You WILL be safe from now on! If your daughter or mother is getting raped, or an armed burglar is kicking in your door. Be rest assured that I will eventually get there. When you are choking and turning blue and about to die. Rest assured there will be NO accident on MY way to you because I'll be taking my own sweet time. I will fight every fiber in my being to hurry to help you or your family and make sure that I stay behind the grayhairs! Yep, I'll get paid either way so why should I rosk my own life for you or your little daughters? You all are right!! Thanks for waking me up and opening my eyes. I really hope you don't need me, it might be awhile from now on. Thank you! SBPD Cop (sarcasm of course, but what if it REALLY happened? Idiots!)

Posted by: Sarah Location: South Bend on Dec 23, 2007 at 10:35 PM
People need to lay off already on the police officers, what if one day you need them RIGHT AWAY! Then when they would take to long you would complain about that. They just can't seem to win no matter what. These are people too and they have families also and remember they are injured or in the hospital for xmas. As far as several officers coming to help, that is normal, they form a bond and our "family" and if you knew one of your family needed help or was hurt.. YOU would be rushing too.. I work at a hospital and EVERY family member comes a running in when something happens to a loved one..They are no different so stop being so critical..

Posted by: Ernie Location: Bristol IN on Dec 23, 2007 at 07:27 PM
I realy don`t know why we are spend all the time and money on investagating the 2 cops colliding they never do anything wrong. This is not the only crash of police in South Bend in the past year I believe that has been over 30 and the story never got to the public. Thank you for at least for doing a story on this one.

Posted by: jon Location: plymouth on Dec 23, 2007 at 05:31 PM
didn't they c each other? obviously not. they where going to the same call at the same time. why didnt one officer go to the call and if he needed back up he could simply haave called for back up. but no they was watching around them and c what happens you get people hurt and get other people involved that shouldnt be. thats why I dont live in south bend because of what stupid things people do in that city.

Posted by: Lizz Location: South Bend on Dec 23, 2007 at 08:26 AM
I cannot believe how some of you are bashing the police and fire department? No matter what they do you will complain about how they respond.But I am sure if you were the other one at the end of the phone calling for help you would not care how they got there, just as long as they got there. You have no clue some of you what really goes on when a call is given.

Posted by: anonyous on Dec 23, 2007 at 08:01 AM
Good luck to the Officers....but was one of them acting negligently maybe and the there were 4 cars involved in total. I was once in an accident it took the cops 45 mins. to respond wow 6 trucks because they were law enforcement hmm

Posted by: tina Location: SB on Dec 23, 2007 at 12:10 AM
Do we have any updates yet on Coporal Stone is doing ? So sad to have to spend the holiday in a hospital instead of home with family. My heart goes out to the family.

Posted by: EH Location: MI on Dec 22, 2007 at 10:51 PM
TO ALL THE PEOPLE I P----- OFF. I DEARLY APOLOGIZE FOR SAYING WHAT I SAID. I ADMIT THAT I WAS OUT OF HAND WITH IT. IT TAKES A COURAGEOUS PERSON TO COME BACK WITH THIS APOLOGY, BUT I KNOW I NEEDED TO. I HAVE THE UTMOST RESPECT FOR EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU. I HAVE A BROTHER-IN-LAW ON THE FORCE IN OKLAHOMA CITY OF 24 YEARS, AND LOVE HIM DEARLY. AS I SAID, MY APOLOGIES TO ALL. IT WAS CERTAINLY A DUMB ATTACK ON MY PART. YES, MY JOBS ARE DANGEROUS ALSO. ALL 4 OF THEM. I WORK ON CARS AND HEAVY TRUCKS FOR A LIVING. CERTAINLY NOT AS DANGEROUS AS AN OFFICER OR FIREMAN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COURAGE EVERYDAY YOU GO TO WORK. GOD BLESS.

Posted by: unknown Location: South Bend on Dec 22, 2007 at 10:44 PM
Why don't everyone quit complaining and pointing fingers. Be thankful the officers are alive. An do what you can to help the two familys out. Donate money or something. And keep them in your prayers they both need it.

Posted by: cheryl Location: NE Indiana on Dec 22, 2007 at 10:00 PM
As a former member of a fire department, and 8 years as an EMT, it sounds like the response was appropriate. There were at least 4 vehicles, which means 4 patients, 2 of whom were considered "critical". Any time there is an entrapment, you need more equipment and manpower to get the victims out quicker. The whole idea is to get them the most appropriate medical ASAP. It's called the "Golden Hour", and the clock starts ticking at the time of the initial accident. Not a lot of time to save a life, is it???

Posted by: Reality Location: SB on Dec 22, 2007 at 09:22 PM
If you think that fire and police units listen to scanners and respond to whatever call they feel like, you should probably try to get out of that little bubble you live in. The number of units DISPATCHED to a call is proportionate to the injuries or severity of an incident. Now considering that there were two officers incapacitated due to injuries, it would seem appropriate to have multiple officers respond to the scene to secure it, so that some of the criminals that live in this town couldn't take advantage of the situation. If you've watched one too many of the firefighting movies on TV that lead you to believe that there are a half dozen firefighter on each rig, I hate to burst your bubble... but the reality of it is that there are anywhere between 1-4 depending on the type of apparatus. Quit your freakin whining about YOUR tax dollars being mis-spent and stand behind those that serve and protect for a change.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 22, 2007 at 08:00 PM
The cops should have been given alcohol and drug tests at the scene. Exactly wright EH.

Posted by: norm Location: mishawaka on Dec 22, 2007 at 07:54 PM
i think their was nothing wrong with who responded to the call im sure that there might have been some mishawaka officers there to. Everyone is like a family out there. I am not a police officer but i have friend that are. Do i agree that the officer should have went through the red light? No. He should have stopped the proceeded with caution. There are alot of officers not following the laws. There are to many accidents happening lately with police officers involved. Over 50% of accidents involve police. That may be a little high,and the bad thing about is to try and sue there insurance company they will say that you will have to sue the person that hit you. I think the police should be responsible for there own actions the city needs to quit sticking up for them. when they are involved in a accident the should be treated like a citizen not a police officer. They should suffer the punishment sent to them. Its not fair that the city gets stuck with bill in the end.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 22, 2007 at 07:20 PM
To Anonymous, It is pretty clear you don't know the first about "police school" or what we call the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. I do think they make sure you can read and write a sentence. (which is something your comment was is lacking) I also think you made up what you said as you went along.

Posted by: john Location: south bend on Dec 22, 2007 at 04:48 PM
police need to slow down a little as i see them get crazy all the time while driving .

Posted by: One who knows Location: SBN on Dec 22, 2007 at 03:05 PM
Now for the second and more difficult question: Did one of these officers act with negligence? MSU, I'm sorry, but my secretary is not available to proof my writings on weekends. Still, despite my gammatical shortcomings, you've managed to add absolutely nothing to this discourse.

Posted by: Capt Rick Location: South Bend on Dec 22, 2007 at 02:02 PM
EH, take a deep breath and take your aluminum foil cap off for a minute, there is no conspiracy. Four wrecked vehicles usually means there is a minimum of 4 injured people. It takes one fire truck to provide emergency medical care for the occupants of each car. It takes 2 fire trucks at a minimum, preferably 3 to efficiently and safely do an extrication evolution. All of the SBFD resources were required and being utilized.

Posted by: Mitch Location: Mishawaka on Dec 22, 2007 at 01:39 PM
I would say no, one who knows...due regard was not met. They were responding to a possible breaking and entering call I believe it was at Gates. A life was not in danger.

Posted by: mark Location: miahawaka on Dec 22, 2007 at 12:33 PM
well they will try to make these cops heros and give them a key to the city. there was a so. bend cop car with a lot of rear end damage out east of mishawaka almost at county line road last week, but you never heard anything on the news about that did you.

Posted by: T Location: SB on Dec 22, 2007 at 12:14 PM
EH, you are out of your mind and a typical anti police loser. Keep your lame conspiracy theories to yourself. Anonymous, your comment is barely comprehendible.

Posted by: Larry Location: SB on Dec 22, 2007 at 11:23 AM
If any on you have been involved in a crash in St. Joseph County (that would include South Bend) and were at fault you would not receive a ticket. This is because the Officer did not see the violation. If a "citizen" would not receive a ticket, why should the Officer? Talk about double standards.