Vehicle Crash Sends Policeman to Hospital

Police urge drivers to yield to flashing lights and sirens

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By Lacie Grosvold

ANCHORAGE - A collision near the intersection of O'Malley Road and Lake Otis Parkway on Friday morning sent a police officer to the hospital.

Officer Nelson Price was behind the wheel, responding to a car crash on the Old Seward Highway.

The police report said the officer was traveling with flashing light and sirens headed east. They say most eastbound travelers were slowing down and pulling over, but one vehicle lost control and slid sideways into the left lane.

The front of the officer's car was smashed. He was rushed to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police are still investigating the crash and no charges have been pressed. An event like this raises the question: What exactly are you supposed to do when you see the flashing lights and hear the sirens?

Anchorage Police Department Engineer, Jon Sheffrey, says pull over to the right and stop or slow down, but people don't always do that. He says he's seen panic and do things like stop right in front of the fire truck. He says sometimes traffic is a challenge to navigate to the side, but it's important its done safely, "we're pretty patient and we understand. We're not going to be pushing through traffic, we're going to slow down."

He said those few minutes could be life or death. "The sooner we get there, the better for everyone."
 

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pbbbt said on Wednesday, Feb 6 at 1:40 PM

bet yur boyfriend was texting and driving

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tired said on Tuesday, Feb 5 at 3:12 PM

The law requires you to slow down and move as close to the right as possible. If stopped at an intersection, move to the right or left to leave a path for the emergency vehicle. With lights and siren, police/fire are responding to an emergency situation. Police often will run with lights only, because they are trying to apprehend a suspect in the act and sirens may keep the suspect from becoming a defendant.

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Anonymous2 said on Sunday, Feb 3 at 9:13 AM

So which is it? Police engineer says pull over to the right but an "anonymous" says they "assumed" everyone knew that you need to pull over or get to the left. No wonder when lights & sirens are either in front or behind people are confused. AARP offers a great drivers safety course maybe some should take it.

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Anonymous said on Sunday, Feb 3 at 8:23 AM

I assumed EVERYONE knew that you get into the left lane and slow way down or stop completely.... but is see so often people directly infront of a ambulance, police officer, fire truck, with lights and sirens and the people in front of them act like they have the right of way and make no effort to move for them. Well, I always think, i hope they are only delaying help to stop their home from burning down or to come to the aide of someone in thier home and not someone else's...

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yaksalot said on Saturday, Feb 2 at 11:12 AM

I so respect the safety personnel that run all roads! I do have a request, as you do travel with lights flashing....please always remember to run with sirens! As I had learned in Minnesota years ago running our Ambulance Service, it was law to run with both.

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Anonymous said on Saturday, Feb 2 at 11:12 AM

IM SO GLAD EVERYONE IS OKAY MY BOYFRIEND WAS IN THAT CRASH AND IM GLAD HE IS OKAY

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