POLICE-CRUISER CRASH SURVIVORS SUE ROANOKE

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, February 7, 1992                   TAG: 9202070136
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: RON BROWN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short
POLICE-CRUISER CRASH SURVIVORS SUE ROANOKE
Two women who were injured in a car crash that killed a Roanoke police officer last month filed claims against the city Thursday.
Attorneys for Regina D. Heck and Melissa D. Collins say officer Fred Robinson was solely negligent in causing the accident.
An investigation into the Jan. 5 wreck determined that Robinson's speeding police cruiser did not have its blue lights on when it struck Heck's turning car and plowed into the front of a building.
Heck was attempting to cross Williamson Road into a parking lot when she was struck by the police car, which was traveling in excess of 50 mph in a 30 mph zone.
Gordon H. Shapiro, Heck's attorney, said a state law says that speeding vehicles lose the right of way.
"This woman had no way of knowing the officer's car was going to be there," Shapiro said.
Both women still are being treated for injuries sustained in the accident, Shapiro said.
In a notice of claim filed with City Attorney Wil Dibling, Heck said she has injuries to her head, neck, shoulders, back, knee and ankle. Collins, who was a passenger in Heck's car, said she has injuries to her head, both knees and right thigh.
Shapiro said he will try to negotiate a settlement with the city, which is self-insured. He said the amount of the claim has not been set because the women still are undergoing treatment.
He said Heck has gone back to work. He was unsure whether Collins was working.
Keywords:
FATALITY

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB