LA Sheriff deputy who killed bicyclist due to emailing while driving his patrol car is immune to prosecution, not even ticketed for distracted driving

California prosecutors have declined to file charges against a sheriff's deputy Andrew Wood who was apparently distracted by his mobile digital computer when his patrol car drifted into the bike lane, stricking and killing a prominent entertainment attorney last year.

‘Wood briefly took his eyes away from the road, typing on his onboard computer in response to an email, precisely when the narrow roadway curved slightly to the left, causing him to inadvertently travel straight into the bike lane, immediately striking Olin.’

Under the law, law enforcement officials are allowed to use electronic wireless devices while carrying out their duties. The victim’s family have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Sheriff's Department and accused Wood of negligence. Olin’s loved ones also started an online petition on Change.org demanding that charges be brought against the deputy. So far, more than 67,000 people have signed.

Found on http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2736376/Deputy-killed-former-Napster-COO-drifting-bike-lane-distracted-laptop-NOT-face-charges-answering-work-related-email.html

According to the Sheriff’s Department’s own policies and procedures involving the operation of a vehicle, “members shall always employ defensive driving techniques to avoid or prevent a collision” and shall not operate vehicles “in an unsafe or negligent manner.”

In mobile digital competency tests, employees are also reminded “to use caution” while operating an MDC and that “distracted driving is inherently unsafe,” according to training documents provided by the Sheriff’s Department.

Wood, who is still a deputy, transferred shortly after the incident to court services but had made the request more than a year earlier, a department spokesman has said.

http://www.dailynews.com/general-news/20140827/in-calabasas-death-of-cyclist-milton-olin-no-charges-against-typing-deputy

What does it look like for another cop that was driving and using his laptop?

Keep you eyes on where your 4000 pound killing machine is going. The life you save might be your own

Posted by Ngenes Kabeh

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