Dallas motor officer killed during Clinton motorcade (mega-merged)

[wonder91178]

http://www.nbc5i.com/2008/0222/15377705_240X180.jpg

BREAKING NEWS: Officer Injured Escorting Clinton To Rally Dies

POSTED: 9:44 am CST February 22, 2008
UPDATED: 10:14 am CST February 22, 2008

http://www.nbc5i.com/news/15377357/detail.html

DALLAS -- A Dallas police motorcycle officer who crashed while escorting the Hillary Clinton motorcade to a campaign rally died Friday morning.

Officials said the officer died shortly after arriving at Methodist Medical Center.

NBC News correspondent Ron Allen said the officers motorcycle was severely damaged in the crash that happened at about 9 a.m.

Allen said the motorcycles were speeding ahead of the motorcade and that the crash happened before Clinton’s vehicle slowly passed by.

Aerial video showed emergency medical technicians laboring to treat the officer on the Houston Street viaduct between the downtown and Oak Cliff sections of Dallas.

The officer's name is being withheld until his family is notified.
Posted on Fri, Feb. 22
Dallas motorcycle officer killed in Clinton motorcade wreck

STAR-TELEGRAM

http://www.star-telegram.com/news/story/489315.html

A Dallas police motorcycle officer escorting presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's motorcade was killed this morning in a traffic accident on the Houston Street Viaduct, according to television and radio news reports.

The wreck occurred at about 9 a.m. as the officer escorted Clinton to an early morning appearance in south Dallas.

According to reports, the officer apparently hit a wall on the viaduct while traveling at a high rate of speed.

The viaduct, which runs across the Trinity River between downtown Dallas and the Oak Cliff area, has been shut down while the accident is investigated.

Television images showed a police motorcycle on its side in the roadway. The officer's helmet could be seen on the roadway with an orange spray-paint circle around it.

According to reports, the officer was seen lying sideways in the roadway with another officer hovering over and trying to assist. A spokesperson for the Dallas police department said the officer was taken to Methodist Central Hospital in Dallas.

Check back for details.

[Sleepy Weasel]

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaa080222_wz_officerhurt.197253ed.html

The report says a little over an hour ago a Dallas officer went down while working escort duty.

[afm108]

Being a police officer and also a bike rider, this hits home:

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaa080222_wz_officerhurt.197253ed.html

DALLAS — A veteran Dallas police officer escorting Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's entourage to a rally in Oak Cliff Friday morning lost control of his motorcycle and was killed.

The accident happened on the Houston Street viaduct around 9:20 a.m. The Kawasaki 1000 Police Special motorcycle apparently hit a concrete abutment.

HD Chopper 8 pilot Troy Bush, who flew over the scene shortly after the incident, estimated that the officer had been thrown about 20 yards by the impact after apparently hitting a railing.

The victim was rushed to nearby Methodist Medical Center. The name of the officer, who has been on Dallas force since 1988, was not released.

Chief David Kunkle was seen arriving at the hospital shortly thereafter.

Sen. Clinton did not mention the accident at her rally; it was not clear whether she had been made aware of the incident.

Last year, a police officer was killed while escorting a motorcade for President George W. Bush in Albuquerque, N.M. There was a similar fatal crash involving a presidential motorcade in Hawaii in 2006.

[wonder91178]

You are 5 minutes late!

http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25238

http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25239

[dainese27]

I wonder how it happened

[Sleepy Weasel]

I wonder how it happened

+1

I heard some people at my office mentioning overshooting a curve, but the shots I've seen so far aren't wide enough to tell what the road looks like leading to the impact point.

[wonder91178]

The two articles I posted say this...

According to reports, the officer apparently hit a wall on the viaduct while traveling at a high rate of speed.

The accident happened on the Houston Street viaduct around 9:20 a.m. The Kawasaki 1000 Police Special motorcycle apparently hit a concrete abutment.
Maybe he was getting ahead of the motorcade to clear traffic or intersections?

Another pic...
http://media.star-telegram.com/smedia/2008/02/22/10/395-Wreck.embedded.prod_affiliate.58.jpg

More pics, NBC5i notes they are disturbing...
http://www.nbc5i.com/video/15377950/index.html

The helmet makes me sad :-(

Looks like he the impact point might be where the headlight is on the ground?

...DALLAS -- A Dallas police motorcycle officer who crashed while escorting the Hillary Rodham Clinton motorcade to a campaign rally died Friday morning.

Officials said the officer died shortly after arriving at Methodist Medical Center.

"We are just heartsick at this loss of life in the line of duty," a subdued Clinton said in a statement to reporters after the rally.

NBC News correspondent Ron Allen said the officers motorcycle was severely damaged in the crash that happened at about 9 a.m. He said the motorcycles were speeding ahead of the motorcade and that the crash happened before Clinton’s vehicle slowly passed by.

The officer died after apparently crashing into a concrete barrier along a viaduct near downtown Dallas. Aerial video showed wreckage scattered for several yards and emergency medical technicians laboring to treat the officer.

The officer's name is being withheld until his family is notified. Clinton said she planned to contact the officer’s family as well as the police chief.

"It is important that we respect and appreciate their service," she said. "I certainly am grateful for all they do for me."

[Centerline]

God Bless he or she. So sad to see LEO death in the line of duty. Prayers to the family friends and brother Officers.

[anaconda]

RIP :zen:

[JacknTexas]

God Bless he or she. So sad to see LEO death in the line of duty. Prayers to the family friends and brother Officers.

+1 well said

[hilljack]

How odd is it that there have been motorcycle fatalities involving Presidential or Presidential candidate motorcades in the last 3 years. There is mention of New Mexico last year and Hawaii the year before.

Im not implying anything ....Its just odd....and sad.

[SparkyBlue]

Devastating for the man's family and co-workers. I find the trivial comments in poor taste.

[kurt]

Prayers for him, his family and fellow officers.

[Red Brown]

The accident happened on the Houston Street viaduct around 9:20 a.m. The Kawasaki 1000 Police Special motorcycle apparently hit a concrete abutment.



How nimble is that bike at high speeds? I wonder if he had an RT or ST13 if it MIGHT have been prevented.

RB

[Morgan Buchanan]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/22/clinton.motorcade/index.html

[whoa]

No other vehicles involved. These motorcades are hazardous assignments. RIP.

Officer in Clinton motorcade killed in accident

DALLAS, Texas (CNN) -- A police officer was killed Friday in a motorcycle accident as Sen. Hillary Clinton's motorcade made its way through downtown Dallas, the presidential candidate said.

Officers inspect the scene of a fatal accident involving Sen. Hillary Clinton's motorcade Friday in Dallas.

The Dallas Police Department said a motorcycle officer was involved in an accident during Clinton's escort but did not immediately confirm the death.

The identity of the officer has not been released.

[Morgan Buchanan]

God bless him and keep him and give comfort to his family.

RIP Sr. Cpl. Victor Lozada-Tirado

[voyagerrider]

May God watch over him and give his family comfort.
Marty

[patricjft]

:pray:

I pray for his family and may god bless all those that knew him.

:thumbd:

[Vrn_james]

R. I. P. Brother... You have done your duty, We'll take it from here...


your family is now ours...

[Janet]

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff32/jbee101/Thinblueline.png

[rickmillertx]

Sad news. I didn't know about it until this morning. I was in Ft. Worth and turns out so was Hillary Clinton so I heard her opening statements. She started her rally with the remarks about how tragic it was that there was a fatal accident yesterday.

I have watched the guys (they aren't police) that do the funeral procession traffic control. Man, do they speed through intersections when leap frogging the processions. It looks really dangerous.

[kurt]

I don't know about Hillary's motorcade, but the President's is a closed course. No leap-frogging necessary. It moves along about 70-90mph in very tight formation. The margin for error would be incredibly small on surface streets.

[DANNYROTH]

Words cannot express my sense of loss. RIP. Hopefully his family wil be comforted by the knowledge that his service was appreciated.

[CycleCat]

How odd is it that there have been motorcycle fatalities involving Presidential or Presidential candidate motorcades in the last 3 years. There is mention of New Mexico last year and Hawaii the year before.

Im not implying anything ....Its just odd....and sad.

A moto officer escorting Prez Bush crashed in Albuquerque last year and died. I've witnessed motorcades going by and I've been a passenger in one and must say it is a very exciting thing from either side. My guess is the surprised reaction of motorists as well as the ease with which they can get caught up in the excitement themselves can be distracting to officers only marginally experienced with such duty (unless they work in NYC or DC). There is very much an adrenaline rush when taking part in a motorcade for the first few times.

[rad3766]

RIP Motorman.
God bless you, thanks for your service to your department and community.
bob

[Texas T]

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff32/jbee101/Thinblueline.png

Texas has lost 5 officers so far this year; the next closest state is only at 2. Not a good indicator for the rest of the year. :-(

[mnapuran]

I think I'd rather promote wearing proper gear and a real helmet over the officers riding an ST1300 or BMW :giveup:

[Teeds]

God bless him and keep him and give comfort to his family.

RIP Sr. Cpl. Victor Lozada-Tirado

ditto that!

May his family and friends find the peace and understanding that will likely only come with time.

[jonny rotten]

I think it was a Dallas officer that was killed in Hillary's motorcade a couple days ago. I don't see how what should be a highly trained rider could lose control bad enough to be killed in a motorcade scenario. Does anyone know any details?

[MikeyTX]

Have you ever been on that overpass ? The pavement is terrible.

[jonny rotten]

Was it the Zang viaduct by Reunion Arena?

[MikeyTX]

Was it the Zang viaduct by Reunion Arena?

Houston St viaduct. Struck the curb.

[sharkey]

He was a 20 yr Vet but had been in motors only a month. Regardless, it only takes .5 sec. to lose attention and be in trouble. He hit the curb and then went airborne.

If they were riding side by side, there is little room for error. If he was leap frogging by himself he would have been going at a pretty good clip.

[MikeyTX]

He was a 20 yr Vet but had been in motors only a month. Regardless, it only takes .5 sec. to lose attention and be in trouble. He hit the curb and then went airborne.

If they were riding side by side, there is little room for error. If he was leap frogging by himself he would have been going at a pretty good clip.

My understanding is he was leap frogging the motorcade. And yes, it only takes a fraction of a second. I wish I could find the pictures of my '96 Harley Police motor after I was clipped at the jct of US 67 and I-35. Personally, had it been a "cow," I don't think I'd still be riding.

[flb_78]

Sorry MIKEY, but you gotta change your avatar. That's Wonder's avatar and Im getting confused...:scratch:

[MikeyTX]

Sorry MIKEY, but you gotta change your avatar. That's Wonder's avatar and Im getting confused...:scratch:

Just did !

[bushwhacker]

I think it was a Dallas officer that was killed in Hillary's motorcade a couple days ago. I don't see how what should be a highly trained rider could lose control bad enough to be killed in a motorcade scenario. Does anyone know any details?

I went into a tank slapper and went down on 290 at 75 mph. I had a flesh tear on my elbow that bled a good bit and a minor fracture of the Tibial Plateau (no surgery just crutches for a few weeks).

I had a buddy who was riding down Egypt Honea who had been riding for 30 years. He was doing maybe 40mph. He ran off the pavement onto a grassy shoulder, into a grassy ditch and went down. No body knows exactly what caused his injury but he suffered internal injuries and died about the same time life flight got there.

Speed doesn't matter (unless maybe you are doing about 150 or better). Experience doesn't matter.

Once second of inattention and just fall the wrong way and thats it.

[flb_78]

Hmm...looks like a fancy sports car with a DPS logo on the side.

[MikeyTX]

Hmm...looks like a fancy sports car with a DPS logo on the side.

What you don't want to see in your rear view mirror on I-27 at 120 mph .......http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/msammet/DPSZ06.jpg

[pinecone]

While I don't wish to play armchair quarterback, I may be able to shed some light on why the guy crashed. There was a similar situaion here in ABQ when W was in town. The officer that went down in ABQ was riding an R1150RT-P. As far as what the officer did wrong or could have done right should best be answered by an actual motor officer.

That being said, has anybody actually seen a motorcade go by? These guys are in a tight formation riding fast. Some reason, politicos get the right of way. I would guess that this officer may have been going too hot into a turn. Blaming the bike is to be expected but motor officers are highly trained. So are road racers and they crash with some regularity. The biggest difference is the road racer is on a track that has sandpits and slide room, the motor officer has to deal with crappily paved streets, other dingus drivers, and curbs.

:pray: for the family that was left behind. I guess traffic in heaven is getting a bit heavy that's why GOD needed another motor officer.

[txbanditrydr]

News paper accounts cited that corner - cautionary turn of 20 mph - and that the officer was 100 feet from the bike. My guess is speed played a large role.

RIP

[LowRyter]

My understanding is he was leap frogging the motorcade. And yes, it only takes a fraction of a second. I wish I could find the pictures of my '96 Harley Police motor after I was clipped at the jct of US 67 and I-35. Personally, had it been a "cow," I don't think I'd still be riding.

"Cow"? Why is clipped on a Harley different than on a Kawasaki? Just curious.

[Ruben]

"Cow"? Why is clipped on a Harley different than on a Kawasaki? Just curious.

Unless you're on a V-Rod, you won't have the chance of being burned by leaky antifreeze?
:doh: :doh: :doh:

[Stephen Max]

"Cow"? Why is clipped on a Harley different than on a Kawasaki? Just curious.

Because he would have been going so much faster on the Kaw.

[MikeyTX]

"Cow"? Why is clipped on a Harley different than on a Kawasaki? Just curious.

For some reason, and it may be the structure of the frame, a H-D police motor seems to hold up better in a slide down the pavement on it's side. Unfortunately, I speak from experience.

[wonder91178]

http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25239

I think this topic has been started 3 other times and was merged together.

[LowRyter]

For some reason, and it may be the structure of the frame, a H-D police motor seems to hold up better in a slide down the pavement on it's side. Unfortunately, I speak from experience.

whoooa....I would hope to prevent a crash

[MikeyTX]

Let's put it this way, after looking at my FLHRP/I as it lay on it's side over a 100 ft from the point of impact, two of the Dallas motor officers that happened to be just behind me when I was hit, told me that their "cows" would not have survived the impact as my Harley did.

[Grrl]

Is it really necessary to debate the how and why? A man has lost his life, his family has lost a vital member, and the Dallas PD has lost a tenured officer. Being personally acquainted with one of his team members, I am saddened by this loss, and the loss to our community.

The motorcycling community has lost a member. That is more than enough for me. :pray:

[pinecone]

Is it really necessary to debate the how and why? A man has lost his life, his family has lost a vital member, and the Dallas PD has lost a tenured officer. Being personally acquainted with one of his team members, I am saddened by this loss, and the loss to our community.

The motorcycling community has lost a member. That is more than enough for me. :pray:

Well said. Even though I am no longer working on PD bikes, I feel said when one of my motor officers goes down (I would have said boys but there are at least 2 APD motor officers that are ladies).

Motor officers are a special breed. Some of the calmest, funniest, and intense folks I've met.

[bushwhacker]

Is it really necessary to debate the how and why? A man has lost his life, his family has lost a vital member, and the Dallas PD has lost a tenured officer. Being personally acquainted with one of his team members, I am saddened by this loss, and the loss to our community.

The motorcycling community has lost a member. That is more than enough for me. :pray:

I think the reason this is so debated is because -

Here is someone who has been more extensively trained than most of the riders on this forum and one mistake and he is gone in a heartbeat.

And, although everyone claims they accept the risk of riding they want to find a reason it happened so they can rationalize that this is why it happened to him and therefore it is not going to happen to me.

They want to see the mistakes that were made so they can go to bed at night they can think "I watch for that or I don't do that so it is not going to happen to me".

It is hard for people to accept that sometimes stuff just happens and when it does you are much more exposed on a bike than in a car and usually the results are just more catastrophic.

[dukey33]

I've ridden in escorted rides and funeral processions and I will tell you these motor officers have to BOOGIE between intersections. Compound that with the higher speeds that dignitary convoys move at and I can only imagine how hazardous a duty that is to perform. That these motor officers do this is testament to their riding skills and commitment to the badge.

Prayers to the officer, his family and friends.

[leekellerking]

I've ridden in escorted rides and funeral processions and I will tell you these motor officers have to BOOGIE between intersections. Compound that with the higher speeds that dignitary convoys move at and I can only imagine how hazardous a duty that is to perform. That these motor officers do this is testament to their riding skills and commitment to the badge.

Prayers to the officer, his family and friends.

With three motorcop deaths in 18 months, perhaps someone should be reconsidering the policy on escorts?

Prayers for the family.


God bless,

Lee

[StarWatcher]

With three motorcop deaths in 18 months, perhaps someone should be reconsidering the policy on escorts?


Lewisville has reconsidered the entire program and decided to call it a day ...

http://cbs11tv.com/local/Lewisville.Police.Department.2.663478.html

-Mike

[MikeyTX]

Lewisville has reconsidered the entire program and decided to call it a day ...

http://cbs11tv.com/local/Lewisville.Police.Department.2.663478.html

-Mike

As the article stated, nothing worse than a knee jerk reaction. Sounds as if the city is simply using the latest situation as a cop out. No pun intended.

[sharkey]

As the article stated, nothing worse than a knee jerk reaction. Sounds as if the city is simply using the latest situation as a cop out. No pun intended.

I saw that last night on the news. Looks like a lot of ST1300's might be available at a good price. Guns are dangerous too, so Lewisville should probably pull those from their officers as well.

Just give'em a taser and a bulletproof vest and make them walk their beat cuz those cars kill officers and civilians alike.

What a goober, P.D. Admin can be so moronic that good officers leave.

[wonder91178]

How the heck can they participate in the Police Motorcycle Competition with no motorcycles on the force? We have priorities here! :doh:

:mrgreen:

Sounds like a stupid idea from whoever decided to kill the unit off. Losers.

[wonder91178]

Just saw this article...

Posted on Fri, Mar. 07, 2008

Dallas motorcycle cop couldn't negotiate curve, report says

http://www.star-telegram.com/news/story/517614.html

Final report on Lozada motorcade wreck (pdf) (http://media.star-telegram.com/smedia/2008/03/07/14/Lozada.source.prod_affiliate.58.pdf)

DALLAS -- A Dallas motorcycle officer who was escorting Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton's motorcade crashed because he couldn't negotiate a curve, according to a final police report on the fatal accident.

Sr. Cpl. Victor Lozada Tirado was killed Feb. 22 when his motorcycle then clipped a curb and crashed into a guard rail while escorting the motorcade on its way to a Clinton appearance. Lozada was 49.

The report, released Friday, noted that Lozada's failure to drive in a single lane was a factor in him being thrown from his motorcycle on a viaduct near downtown. He was in the rear of the motorcade.

Speed was not listed as a factor.

[Tracker]

First, condolences and prayers to the officers family and friends.
===========

2 questions
- why the necessity to for motorcades to drive like bats outta ****? If they're late, behind schedule it's their own dang fault. Not only do they endanger the officers responsible, but civilians in the vicinity.
- in this day and age of centralized electronic traffic control, it seems to me they could mitigate a lot of the intersection control issues.

[CycleCat]

Even with traffic signal control there are right-on-red turners, people entering the road from parking lots, etc. that must be blocked.

Usually with the rolling blockade often used for this type duty, the officers in back still blocking an intersection after the motorcade has passed have to race past the entire motorcade and take position far enough ahead of the group to assure the road is clear when they get there so the group doesn't have to slow down. Then once they pass, they do it all again. The main thing is to keep the group moving smoothly and make sure you are not still dealing with a confused motorist when the group arrives. The normal reaction of the average inattentive driver is to freeze like a deer in the headlights when a gaggle of moto cops appears in their rearview mirror! That'll really mess things up!

[SeanFromTX]

Resurrected this thread when I saw that the officer's family was sueing Hillary Clinton, the helmet manufacturer, and the city of Dallas. I'm no Hillary fan by any stretch of the imagination, BUT COME ON! "did not make a timely request for motorcade assistance" GIVE ME A BREAK!


http://www.wfaa.com/news/Family-of-Dallas-officer-killed-in-08-motorcade-crash-sues-Hillary-Clinton-85081407.html

Family of Dallas officer killed in '08 motorcade crash sues Hillary Clinton

by Associated Press
Posted on February 23, 2010 at 2:38 PM
Updated yesterday at 7:02 PM

******

DALLAS (AP) — The family of a Dallas police officer who died in a crash two years ago while escorting then-presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton in a motorcade has sued her, the city of Dallas and the maker of the helmet he was wearing.

Sr. Cpl. Victor Lozada-Tirado's widow and children filed the lawsuit in state district court Monday, saying the city did not give him proper training for escorting a motorcade. It also accuses Clinton and her campaign of not giving timely notice for motorcade assistance and claims the helmet was defective.

The family is seeking damages including loss of economic support.

Lozada-Tirado, 49, died Feb. 22, 2008, when he was thrown from his motorcycle after clipping a curb and crashing into a guard rail. The final police report on the accident said he crashed because he couldn't negotiate a curb.

The report noted that his failure to drive in a single lane was a factor in him being thrown from his motorcycle on a viaduct near downtown. He was in the rear of the motorcade.

Calls made Tuesday to now-Secretary of State Clinton's office and helmet manufacturer Super Seer Corp., in Evergreen, Colo., were not immediately returned. A spokesman for the city of Dallas said the city would not comment Tuesday.

The lawsuit said that during the accident, the clasp holding the chin strap on his helmet disengaged and his helmet came off.

It said the 20-year Dallas police veteran had only graduated from motorcycle training shortly before being assigned to the motorcade.

"He was not properly trained for an assignment as dangerous as a motorcade; nor was he experienced enough," the lawsuit said, adding that less than a month before Lozada-Tirado's death, it was recommended he have more training.

The lawsuit said the city did not perform advance planning, run through and meetings about the motorcade assignment prior to the event. The lawsuit said that was in part because Clinton and her campaign, which is also a defendant, did not make a timely request for motorcade assistance.

"It was very late notice. Certainly not enough time for the department to go through the protocol," said attorney David A. Schiller, of Plano, who is representing Theresa Lozada and her children.

Schiller said he understood that notice that a motorcade was needed was given less than 24 hours before the event.

Participating in the motorcade meant Lozada-Tirado had to overtake the motorcade at speeds up to 70 mph, the lawsuit said.

[MikeyTX]

The attorney that filed this case has a long history in Dallas county as being an ambulance chaser. If you read the entire comments section in the DMN, one poster did a cut and past of the large number of this clowns cases that were thrown out. We the tax payers are the ultimate looser.

[XoZe]

EL MARTILLO TEJANO!

[rickmillertx]

The family of the officer should have more dignity than this. Just say "No" to lawyers calling with crap like this.

Related thought. The girl that jumped from the Pierce school bus and was run over. I saw where the family was looking at the bus door to see if it malfunctioned and the bus maintenance. Come on. The girl did a stupid thing and paid the ultimate price.

[LowRyter]

while I agree with everything that's been said, I hope that adequate life and disability insurance is provided to the City LEO personnel. Although I'm a vocal critic of LEOs at times, they have an important mission to keep us safe, they do have dangerous jobs, catch a lot of grief from the public (myself included here), and don't get paid big salaries.

I hope it's not a situation where the family is in financial or emotional straits due to lack insurance coverage and moral support.

[TerriBaker]

We live in a very litigious society. I deal with "ambulance chasing" attorneys quite often. On the other hand, I also deal with many attorney's who take the high road and avoid slumming.

[TerriBaker]

I also heard the wife of the guy who flew his plane into the IRS Austin building, is being sued!! I can't imagine she would have known!!