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Fatal crash team supervisor placed on leave


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Fatal crash team supervisor placed on leave | FATAL

Sgt. Sam Campbell
A Murfreesboro Police sergeant was placed on leave for failing to collect evidence at the crash scene where a 12-year-old girl died after being struck by a sheriff’s detective’s vehicle, Police Chief Glenn Chrisman said Friday.

Sgt. Sam Campbell was placed on leave with pay because he did not collect two bottles of alcohol found near the crash scene where sheriff’s Sgt. Ron Killings struck Lakeisha White of Hopkinsville, Ky. Lakeisha died after the crash, Chrisman said. Attorneys representing White’s family turned the bottles containing some alcohol to police.

One bottle was determined to be Killings’ while the second bottle was sent to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for fingerprint analysis, the chief said.

During a press conference Friday, Chrisman said he was unaware of the second bottle until Thursday afternoon.

Campbell and the Fatal Accident Crash Team he commands erred by not collecting the bottles as evidence, the chief said. The bottles should have been collected. Campbell was removed from the investigation and could face possible punishment after an internal investigation.

“While these bottles are evidence that will be included in the investigation, they are not believed to be relevant as a contributing factor to the cause of the crash,” Chrisman said.

Chrisman said he could not discuss ongoing details of the investigation but said a technician at Middle Tennessee Medical Center took a blood sample from Killings about two hours and 32 minutes after the crash. The test showed negative for alcohol and drugs.

The blood sample was delayed by the crash investigation but Chrisman believes the time was reasonable.

“We feel pretty certain if there was alcohol and drugs there,” the results would have shown up in the blood sample sent to TBI, Chrisman said. Generally, tests are taken within two hours if a driver is arrested or detained. Killings was not arrested and voluntarily submitted to the blood test.

Sheriff Truman Jones placed Killings on administrative leave with pay until the blood tests showed no presence of alcohol or drugs.

Regarding the investigation so far, Chrisman said, “certainly, there are things we could have done better and will try to improve in the future.

“Due to the nature of this crash, the involvement of a law enforcement officer and the tragic death of a small child, questions have arisen concerning the investigation,” Chrisman said. “Those questions have included issues regarding the collection of evidence, timeliness of witness interview and internal and external communications as the investigation has proceeded.”

Chrisman appointed Maj. David Hudgens to complete the investigation the chief hopes will be finished in about two weeks. The findings will be presented to District Attorney William Whitesell.

“As a portion of his oversight of this investigation, Maj. Hudgens will conduct a full review of all case file material including evidence collected, witness statements taken, exhibits submitted to the TBI Crime Laboratory and any other information or evidence related to this case,” Chrisman said.

People who have information abut the crash are asked to call Hudgens at 849-2685.

Killings has cooperated with the investigation so far, he said.

Lakeisha’s death was a “tragic, tragic loss” and prayers go out to the family, the chief said.

“There is nothing more traumatic in the life of a police officer than to investigate the death of a child,” Chrisman said, adding the department remains committed to completing the investigation in a thorough manner.

“Our mission and our objective is to see justice is served,” Chrisman said.






 
 
 
Tagged under  FATAL


Member Opinions:
By: devolver on 8/8/08
This is starting to get pretty interesting.

By: BIGDADDY on 8/8/08
Why was this child out so late on Bradyville Pike? Let's check out why no adult was keeping an eye on this little girl.

By: GrumpaEd on 8/9/08
The child being unsupervised is a valid concern, however, it does not validate the actions of city police and county sheriff departments.

Not having a breathalyzer with the accident team negligent at best. Not collecting potential evidence is criminal.

The way this investigation was handled has shaken the trust of the public - it further verifies that the "good ole boys" are above any law. Apparently sitting at street corners catching violaters of turn lanes have done nothing to enhance the intelligence of those involved.

By: victimrights on 8/9/08
First this was not an infant.This child was 12 years old.It was not midnight.It was still before the CITY'S curfew.She wasn't out running wild she was crossing the street to go HOME.How many of you walk around holding your 12 year old's hand?A block is not too far for a child to walk.Everyone wants to blame the little girl and her family because"they know how dangerous that road is"What about the sloppy cop?He should know better than anyone to pay ATTENTION.Regardless of his blood test what was he doing with liqour in his car period while he's working?What reasoning did this heartless coward use when he chose to cover himself before checking on a CHILD he hit.And then Truman puts him back on the streets??Way to go Mr.Jones.Let's quit blaming the innocent and demand something finally be done about our corrupt police.At any given time I would wager there are a number of cover ups going on in RCSO.The only difference is this one couldn't be hidden.

By: fraco88 on 8/9/08
The blame goes to the detective, police, and sheriff's department. Such shoddy investigative procedures. Even Mayor Bragg says he will give them the benefit of the doubt. Just another case of everybody helping their friends. They knew the detective was drinking but gave him time to get it out of his system before the test. No bottles collected. Threatening witnesses. I don't trust any of them and an independent investigation is needed.


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