phoebeisis

ALICESTRONG- thanks for the update-we are curious how this will turn out.

So report will be turned over to DA
And DA as always-decides to charge or not charge.
Hmmmm-no criminal charges is my bet-
I assume he will claim he was suddenly distracted by something- and drifted over-some chance that is actually the truth

Unlikely he will say "I was on the computer or texting for the 30 seconds before impact"-pretty fair chance this is what happened

TrojanHorse

Unless his car malfunctioned (which I imagine would have been the first thing we heard) how can this not be at-fault and negligent?

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Sgt. Joseph Jakl, - “If the deputy driving is deemed to be at fault, he would be charged with vehicular manslaughter, unless something comes up in the investigation that there was something completely negligent, then we could be looking at felony manslaughter. I won’t know the specifics until I have everything in hand.”

Thank goodness they investigated it "out of HQ" instead of out of the division the deputy was assigned... we wouldn't want any hint of impropriety now would we.

Thanks for the continued updates Alice.

Tycho Brahe 

Milton Olin was part of last night's Grammy "In Remembrance" tribute during the award ceremony. Too bad the only reason why I recognized his name was because of this tragedy.

alicestrong

Soooo....texting...Lawsuit Filed in Death of Cyclist Milton Olin, Struck by Deputy Who Was Texting Before Collision | KTLA 5

trailangel

Thanks, just now reading.
Who would send 100+ text messages in a 7 hour period?
I might send 100 in 6 months.

TrojanHorse

You are clearly not a teenage girl.

OK, we're going to hear the phrase "qualified immunity" a lot with this case. The no-texting law does not apply to cops in the performance of their duties either, and they are allowed to use their car computers while driving. Was he texting somebody at the department or a personal contact?

I think it's INTERESTING that the sheriff's department employee: A sheriff’s sergeant responding to the crash examined Wood’s cellphone and the device showed no record of use during the time of the collision, the detective’s affidavit stated. Do they think that the six texts in the five minutes before the crash would not be found or are they just incompetent?

Why do "public servants" go into full on turtle mode when something like this goes wrong? They stonewall, obfuscate & block any attempts to hold one of their own accountable and usually they're successful. The good news is that whatever settlement Olin's bereaved family gets will come out of OUR pockets as tax payers and very little will personally affect the actual deputy who cause this family so much pain with his negligence.

Qualified immunity is supposed to protect peace officers from harassment during the performance of their duties, not shield them when they are CLEARLY negligent. I'm guessing Olin's family will have the financial resources and wherewithal to make the department squirm but most people would not!

Protect and serve... yeah right!

mr_bill

It takes just a moment for someone to delete the listings of recent texts/recent calls on a smartphone. Therefore, the sheriff may not have seen any recent texts/recent calls on the deputy's smartphone.

-mr. bill

Wulf

They may not show up on the phone but they can be subpoena'd from the carrier.

mr_bill

They were subpoena'd from the carrier. Hundred or so texts, many phone calls. Including texts in the minutes before the crash and a call several minutes after the crash.

There is a discrepancy between the carrier's records and the smart phone's recent lists.

-mr. bill

psalm

Deleting text messages...sounds like someone was trying to cover their tracks. Hopefully the lawyer can use that to show the officer knew what they did was their fault, and was trying to tamper with the evidence.

TrojanHorse

I don't disagree with your point but let's insert "alleged" discrepancy. Did he erase it or was the investigator incompetent or corrupt? Three options there, none of which are pleasant to contemplate.

I really don't expect much out of this at all besides a lot of stonewalling, double talk and perhaps a paid leave until the public forgets about it. I know, I'm cynical.

alicestrong

There is a petition circulating regarding the incident for those inclined...

https://www.change.org/petitions/l-a...%2BbppRg7LRTap

alicestrong

Very frustrating.

In Calabasas death of cyclist Milton Olin, no charges against typing deputy

The family has set up a foundation in his name...

Milt Olin Foundation ? Just another WordPress site

psalm

Absurd!

TrojanHorse

*sigh*

Do the car radios not work? Why are they communicating on those terminals in the car while driving?

Of course, had anybody else on this forum been spotted texting while stopped at a red light... that's a several hundred dollar ticket, even if you're stopped.

He stated that he didn't see Olin but then said Olin veered into the traffic lane. The car behind the sheriff's car said he was in the bike lane... regardless, I know people have trouble recalling specifics right at the moment of an accident and he's freaked out because he just killed somebody but why won't the police in general, and that sheriff's department in particular make some changes to eliminate the chance of a repeat incident? Looking down at a keyboard while driving is dangerous on a straight road with no traffic, much less an on-ramp.

alicestrong

LACBC is organizing a ride and vigil calling for justice...

Justice for Milt Olin: Ride and Vigil | LACBC

TrojanHorse

I'm less interested in seeing them press charges against this one cop and more interested in seeing them give up on qualified immunity for activities that would get you and me ticketed and possibly jailed. if it's dangerous for me, it's dangerous for them.

Thank you for the updates, btw.

alicestrong

Agreed...

look566 rider

Yes, thanks for the update.

What is next for law enforcement? I drove off the road while texting/typing and ran over a mother and child on the side walk, oh no worries "qualified immunity" will step in and save you.

They should be held to the same standards as we are, if not higher standards, seeing as they are supposed to be "professionals".

CommuteCommando

I support a written change to the operations manual they use that requires they pull to the side of the damn road and stop, to read and enter data.

CommuteCommando

I wish they would do those things on weekends so more like me could attend.

cafzali

Those laptop computers that are ubiquitous in police cars these days -- at least in most areas -- have supplanted two-radio radios as the primary communications methods. Most police fleets now are computer dispatched, which in theory is a great thing, as it allows central commanders to instantly know where everyone on duty is at any one time. The downside are situations such as is outlined here, which at least in theory could easily be avoided through proper policies and training.

TrojanHorse

All true, but it seems reasonable to expect that they can still track the cars and communicate with the officers in a way that did not endanger the lives of both their officers and the general population.

CommuteCommando

https://www.scribd.com/doc/237940150/...st-Milton-Olin

This makes my blood boil

rubic

Maybe if this deputy has a conscience, he will suffer for the rest of his life for the life that he took.

from Pinocchio (1940)
The Blue Fairy: You must learn to choose between right and wrong.
Pinocchio: Right and wrong? But how will I know?
Jiminy Cricket: [watching] How'll he know!
The Blue Fairy: [to Pinocchio] Your conscience will tell you.
Pinocchio: What are conscience?
Jiminy Cricket: What are conscience! I'll tell ya! A conscience is that still small voice that people won't listen to. That's just the trouble with the world today...
Pinocchio: Are you my conscience?
Jiminy Cricket: Who, me?