LYNNWOOD — Two police officers responding to a robbery at Fred Meyer were taken to the hospital after their cars collided March 4 in an intersection just outside the police department.
Both officers, Sgt. David Harris and Officer Troy Smith were treated and released from nearby hospitals the same day, said Lynnwood Police Chief Steve Jensen. Smith suffered a concussion and returned to work a few days after the accident. Harris will be out of work for awhile, Jensen said, while he recovers from broken ribs. He also is suffering from back and neck pain, he said.
“I’m just so glad nobody was more badly hurt,” Jensen said.
No other vehicles were involved in the collision. There was a pedestrian that was south of 194th Street on 44th Avenue W. at the time of the accident, police officials said, but not near enough to be hurt.
According to Jensen the two were responding to what first came in over dispatch as a fight, possible robbery at the US Bank at 44th and 196th.
“Apparently the call received by SNOCOM (911 dispatch center) indicated that parties were bloodied, etc…,” he said.
Harris left from the police department traveling westbound on 194th and making a left turn onto southbound 44th Avenue W. At the same time Smith was responding southbound on 44th.
Both officers had emergency lights and sirens on, Jensen said and the police vehicles collided. Harris’ car then struck the signal light pole on the southwest corner of the intersection. Harris’ airbag did deploy. The street was partially closed for about three hours, he said.
“They might not have heard each other because they both had sirens on,” Jensen said, “What I think happened was (a third responding officer) tripped the (signal control system) and Smith also tripped the light, but we’re not yet sure if it was red or green when Harris went through.”
Lynnwood Police collision reconstructionists are still investigating.
“We know this: Whoever’s at fault is a police officer,” Jensen said.
The incident shook up many of the police staff, the accident happened right outside the department.
“Everybody came out and was in the street, Harris wasn’t moving or talking and he had to be cradled out on the backboard,” he said, “Many thought he may be more hurt than he was.”
Fire crews, which were responding to the hurt security guard, had to change scenarios quickly as they were made aware of the collision.
“The fire department aid and medic crews did a superb job,” Jensen said. “They deserve significant recognition for their response and assistance to the injured officers, it was above the call of duty.”
The Chief also praised the city’s traffic engineering unit and Citizens Patrol.
As it turned out, the original incident was a man seen shoplifting at Fred Meyer who was then chased by store security across the parking lot toward the bank. The suspect stopped and started to beat up one of the security guards, Jensen said.
According to Sgt. Jerry Riener, the suspect was caught and booked for robbery.
Laura Tuttle, the store manager for the Lynnwood Fred Meyer, said the security guard was doing well and back at work.
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