Vehicle Fires
Missouri State Trooper Killed in Accident on I-70
5/23/03
By LINDA MAN and ERIK PETERSEN
The Kansas City Star
A Missouri Highway Patrol trooper died Thursday when a pickup slammed into his patrol car in a traffic stop on Interstate 70, causing the car to burst into flames.
The trooper, trapped inside, burned to death. In the passenger seat next to him was the driver of the car that he had stopped, and that motorist was critically burned. The driver of the pickup that hit them also was injured.
Trooper Micheal Newton, 25, of Higginsville, Mo., died at the scene.
Trooper Dies in Fiery Crash
By Tammy Jones and Lynde Hedgpeth, staff writers
Asheville Citizen-Times
May 31, 2003
WAYNESVILLE – Sheriff Bobby Medford would have loved to have had Anthony Cogdill back in the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Department.
The sheriff saw Cogdill a few months ago, and told him the invitation was open. But Cogdill told him he was building a house in Haywood County, and he loved his job with the State Highway Patrol.
Safety of Officers Comes First
Sheriff declines to keep buying Ford model because of concerns
By ROGER RYDELL DANIELS
Lake City Reporter
Despite safety issues surrounding the Ford's Crown Victoria Police Interceptors, the car remains popular to law enforcement agencies – except the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff Frank Owens won't buy one of the nation's most popular police cars until a safety issue, the car's probability of catching fire after wrecks, is resolved.
“I am concerned with the Columbia Sheriff''s Office,” Owens said.
Ford Cruiser Probe Sought
Thursday, May 29, 2003
Senator calls for new investigation into Crown Vic after death
WASHINGTON — The recent death of a Missouri state trooper has prompted a New York senator to call on the federal government to reopen its investigation into Ford Motor Co.'s Crown Victoria, the most popular police car model.
Sen.
Schumer Urges Federal Investigation Into Mechanically Flawed Police Cars That Have Killed 15 Officers
Two police officers in the U.S. endured accidents in the last ten days when their Crown Victoria police cars were rear-ended and then exploded; Yonkers officer died in similar accident last December
Schumer urges National Highway Transportation Safety Administration to investigate why the cars are susceptible to fiery accidents, and how to better remedy the problem; Previous attempts to retro-fit the cars have had little impact
With two accidents involving Ford Crown Victoria police cars occurring over the last ten days, US Senator Charles E.
Letter to NHTSA Administrator Runge from Senator Charles Schumer
May 28, 2003
Dr. Jeffrey Runge
National Highway Transportation Safety Administration
400 Seventh Street, SW
Washington, DC 20590
Dear Administrator Runge:
I am writing to request that the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) open a comprehensive investigation into possible structural defects that cause the Ford Crown Victoria to explode upon rear-end impact despite recent safety upgrades.
Mo. Highway Patrol Trooper Dies In Fiery I-70 Accident
Trooper Apparently Was Making Car Stop
May 22, 2003
KANSAS CITY, Mo. —
KMBC reported that the accident happened near Odessa around 6:30 a.m.
KMBC reported that Trooper Micheal Newton, 25, had stopped a car when his cruiser was apparently hit by another vehicle and it ignited.
Explosion Prompts Concern About Police Cars
Crown Victorias Under Scrutiny
May 18, 2003
DALLAS — New concerns are emerging from a car accident involving a Dallas police officer.A police cruiser burst into flames Saturday morning after being rear-ended on the westbound lanes of I-30 near the Hampton exit. NBC 5 News' Allison Smith reported on the concerns surrounding Ford Crown Victorias, which Dallas police officers drive.
GM Paid $495 Million in Suits
The automaker settled 297 cases involving fiery pickup crashes, a court document reveals.
By Myron Levin, L.A. Times Staff Writer