Comments on: Court Sides With Cops On High-Speed Chase

Supreme Court Rejects Arguments Of Man Paralyzed in Crash Stemming From Police Pursuit

[smeckel1]

Yes, dblbar, the safety of the bystander during the chase is important - but many chases are instigated without the officer fully understanding why the suspect is running. As a peace office, you must assume the worst. What if the driver is a wanted murder or rapist? What if a victim is still in the car alive? or dead? Do you risk the lives of bystanders then?

Also remember, while highly trained, Peace officers are putting themselves at great risk during these chases too. They understand the risks to bystanders - usually.

Being in the wrong place/wrong time will always happen no matter what you do or what laws exist. I'm just glad I wasn't under the overpass in the Bay Area Sunday, or in the Kansas City, MO Mall for the shooting Sunday.

[apdepetris]

Makes sense to me. If a person flees from police then it is their choice. It's not the cops' fault that this guy decided to run from police in a 90 mph car chase. They were just trying to bring a dangerous situation to an end that could have caused harm to any number of innocent bystanders.

I'm tired of hearing about criminals suing officers because they committed a crime, chose to run, and then got hurt in the process. This isn't a case of excessive force by officers.

[itwasntme000]

In a situation like this!!!
Unless their was a chopper overhead and ground units in forward positions, this was abso-freakin-lootley the right thing to do. If the kid was dumb enough to run its his own fault.

[dblbar]

"A police officer's attempt to terminate a dangerous high-speed car chase that threatens the lives of innocent bystanders does not violate the Fourth Amendment, even when it places the fleeing motorist at risk of serious injury or death," Scalia said.

Although I agree wholeheartedly about the person fleeing the police, what about the innocent bystander who is also paralyzed just because he happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time......