Why it was important to see the Milford Crash
Posted by Kirk Varner, News Director
on November 18th, 2009 at 02:19:17 pm , 6357 views
This morning’s email brought a handful of messages from viewers who found it troubling that we would choose to show the footage from the dashboard camera inside a Milford PD cruiser, which documented the horrible crash from this past June that claimed two teenager’s lives.
“What were you thinking???”, one viewer demanded to know.
Still image from police dashboard camera video prior to fatal crash in Orange.
It is true that some reports from other sources left out the video, or chose not to show the moment of impact. While we respect those decisions as being right for the other news organizations, here at News Channel 8 we felt that not presenting the full video would have been to keep a crucial part of the story from being told.
What we were thinking is that the video shows something that no amount of words or any other description can adequately convey--that the speed of the police cruiser and the force with which it impacts the car the teenagers were in, is stunning. To everyone who sees it, the questions come almost instantly: What was the reason the officer was travelling at that rate of speed? Why were the cruiser’s lights and siren not on? Did the other driver not see the cruiser?
And many others, including the basic one. How could this happen?
Of course seeing the video is troubling. As the parent of a teenage driver, it makes me uneasy every time it appears. No one can imagine the loss of the parents of those two teens whose young lives ended so violently.
But shouldn’t seeing those pictures make us all want to hear the answers to all of the questions about what led to this tragic moment--and perhaps how it could have been prevented?
Those very pictures led a Clinton man to remind us that this isn’t the first time this sort of accident has occurred—and that more may need to be done to prevent one from ever happening again.
John Cullen of Clinton lost his wife in a 1984 crash with a Clinton police officer’s cruiser. In that case, the officer was operating with lights and siren activated. Cullen told our Kent Pierce that he hopes that the deadly crash in Milford will lead to other police departments learning the lesson about speed and safety.
The question of showing the video comes down to this: Would people be thinking and talking about this crash as much, if they had never witnessed what happened by seeing it with their own eyes?
40 comments
Comment from: Alice [Visitor] · http://www.affordableaccuracy.com
Showing the video (with impact)was a good idea. It may have troubled some, but if the picture makes one person (police officer,civilian or teen-ager) slow down and realize possible consequences, then showing this video to the public is a GREAT idea!
11/18/09 @ 14:49
Comment from: Lisa [Visitor]
Alice, I completely agree. I think WTNH did an excellent job on this story. News isn't always there to comfort you. Sometimes it's the more disturbing actions that leave you wanting to create a stop to the problem.
Excellent job, WTNH! And thank you. I hope this video helps people realize even those who are there to save us may not always be using the best judgement.
Excellent job, WTNH! And thank you. I hope this video helps people realize even those who are there to save us may not always be using the best judgement.
11/18/09 @ 15:15
Comment from: BobAnthony [Visitor]
As horrific a video it was and I have seen it a couple of times...it had to be shown.
11/22/09 @ 08:15
Comment from: Mike [Visitor] 
Channel 8's showing of the dash cam is excellent coverage, as well as the audio tape!!! What are the odds of actually the truth coming out when Milford (at that time) had only 2 cruisers equipped with dash cams, Pasani's cruiser being one of them. Also, if you pair the video tape and the audio tape, you will be able to see as I do that there was a third cruiser, which these two, no matter how fast they were going, were not closing the distance on the lead cruiser. On the audio tape you will hear who it is, and if you watch closely the video tape, you will see that impact ocurrs at about 16 seconds and the lead cruiser (who was not charged) is seen making a U-turn on the video and arriving within 20 seconds of impact to check on his brother!!!
Let's help ourselves police the Police by getting involved at http://www.radioreference.com
Let's help ourselves police the Police by getting involved at http://www.radioreference.com
01/07/10 @ 17:33
Comment from: Mike [Visitor]
Besides, out of the respect to the families of the struck vehicle, I personally would not want them to show that video and the last look on their faces prior to impact.
01/07/10 @ 17:36
Horrific crash to be certain, one which had two guilty parties involved. While those kids made stupid decision under the influence it does not absolve the officer who darned well knows better of guilt from his part in the collision. They paid the ultimate price for their mistake and he will certainly face the full extent of the law for his actions.
11/18/09 @ 15:23
Comment from: roadrunner [Visitor]
Cop still is paid what a f...n joke should be fired yesterday.
12/07/09 @ 19:03
Comment from: St.N/eno Glenna MacDonald [Visitor]
99% of folk leaving a bar are under the influence of alcohol.
Over 50% of the driveing population are on some sort of medication.
Folk with seizeures and diabeties not under medical supervision are as dangerous as a drunk driver.
Folk leaveing the M.donne clinic comeing off herion are nodding off at the wheel.
Texting and talking on a cell phone can be deadly.
As an experienced driver I know that you can`t tell the speed of an on comeing car.
At night the lights are unjudgable.
you never know if your car will stall in the middle of the road,or if your brakes will fail.
Or your car is on a recall list for bad steering,sticky gas pedal,ect.
This is why when I see a car comeing I check twice sometimes 3 times.
Things that can fail in your car can fail in other cars.I hope the teens at driveing school get a good lessson on judgeing headlight at night and try to tell the speed the car is going,you can think that everyone is obeying the speed limit signs and say oh that car must be doing 35 thats the speed limit i have plenty of time to make a turn.
People speed.
Gas pedals stick.
Don`t just assume someone must be going a certian speed because you know the speed limit,some driver have no idea.
They do during the driveing test...
94 miles per hour is reckless driveing.
And royally messing up on a job that many put their trust in,like a surgeon showing up drunk for surgery.I could use some royal words,but would want Kirk to faint.
I saw the vidio and I couldn`t watch it as often as it was played.
I kept thinking the parents and friend were watching and reliveing the nightmare all over again.
~Peace Glenna~
Over 50% of the driveing population are on some sort of medication.
Folk with seizeures and diabeties not under medical supervision are as dangerous as a drunk driver.
Folk leaveing the M.donne clinic comeing off herion are nodding off at the wheel.
Texting and talking on a cell phone can be deadly.
As an experienced driver I know that you can`t tell the speed of an on comeing car.
At night the lights are unjudgable.
you never know if your car will stall in the middle of the road,or if your brakes will fail.
Or your car is on a recall list for bad steering,sticky gas pedal,ect.
This is why when I see a car comeing I check twice sometimes 3 times.
Things that can fail in your car can fail in other cars.I hope the teens at driveing school get a good lessson on judgeing headlight at night and try to tell the speed the car is going,you can think that everyone is obeying the speed limit signs and say oh that car must be doing 35 thats the speed limit i have plenty of time to make a turn.
People speed.
Gas pedals stick.
Don`t just assume someone must be going a certian speed because you know the speed limit,some driver have no idea.
They do during the driveing test...
94 miles per hour is reckless driveing.
And royally messing up on a job that many put their trust in,like a surgeon showing up drunk for surgery.I could use some royal words,but would want Kirk to faint.
I saw the vidio and I couldn`t watch it as often as it was played.
I kept thinking the parents and friend were watching and reliveing the nightmare all over again.
~Peace Glenna~
11/18/09 @ 18:16
Comment from: Hosed By The System [Visitor]
This is one of the reasons the dash camera IS there and recording.....
Welcome to the REAL world to the people who are "offended"........
Welcome to the REAL world to the people who are "offended"........
11/18/09 @ 18:16
Comment from: Roadrunner [Visitor]
Cops think they could do what they want, and most of the time they do until something this happens, now go to jail just like anyone else.
THANK GOD AND THE TAX PAYER FOR DASH CAMS:)
THANK GOD AND THE TAX PAYER FOR DASH CAMS:)
11/18/09 @ 19:04
Comment from: Joseph Miceli [Visitor]
Joe
I would have made that left hand turn. looking down the street and seeing a car travling at the posted speed limit I would have had plenty of time to get across the street.
I would have made that left hand turn. looking down the street and seeing a car travling at the posted speed limit I would have had plenty of time to get across the street.
11/18/09 @ 18:25
Comment from: r3asonabl3doubt [Visitor]
Joe, I agree. And the story goes deeper than that. If you look closely at the dashcam at between 2:13:28 and 2:13:29 on the clock, you will see that the TL in front of Frankie's was functional, and that Pisani first ran a RED LIGHT, then Anderson too ran the RED LIGHT. If they had stopped, the accident may never have happened. The causes of the accident were (in order of occurrence) 1.) excessive speed on local streets w/o cause; 2.) cops ran RED LIGHT; 3.) wreckless driving by cops and (though I can't see the left lane traffic signal for the Mazda) 4.) it seems logical that the victims' vehicle turned left w/o stopping for a flashing red light.
Thank God that one of Milford' only 2 dashcams in operation (at that time) captured the truth, or we may never have found out the truth.
There is still more to this story than is being investigated/disclosed to the public, because the video shows there was more to it. Appears there was a third cruiser that wasn't charged. Watch the very end again then compare the video to the released audio tape. How else would a 3rd Milford officer be on scene within 16 -20 seconds of impact! Check it out!
Thank God that one of Milford' only 2 dashcams in operation (at that time) captured the truth, or we may never have found out the truth.
There is still more to this story than is being investigated/disclosed to the public, because the video shows there was more to it. Appears there was a third cruiser that wasn't charged. Watch the very end again then compare the video to the released audio tape. How else would a 3rd Milford officer be on scene within 16 -20 seconds of impact! Check it out!
03/24/10 @ 22:48
Comment from: Richard [Visitor]
Why doesn't anyone see that these two officers where playing teenage drag racers. Johnny above the law
One officer traveling 74 MPH the other passing at 94 MPH. Posted speed 30 MPH.
Come on wake up MR. Lawmakers!
To bad the young teens lost the only thing they had. Their lives.
One officer traveling 74 MPH the other passing at 94 MPH. Posted speed 30 MPH.
Come on wake up MR. Lawmakers!
To bad the young teens lost the only thing they had. Their lives.
11/18/09 @ 18:37
Comment from: Roadrunner [Visitor]
The other cop involved should face the same charge because if it were two kids drag raceing they both would be charge, but you know that wont happen:(
11/18/09 @ 19:07
Comment from: roadrunner [Visitor]
You are so right if it were two guys raceing both would be charged but look at this 94 mph in a 35 45 should be fired on the spot.
12/07/09 @ 19:06
Comment from: Sandy [Visitor]
After viewing the video numerous times, I think the Officer with the videocam; while going 74 mph didn't hit the car that clearly would have made the left turn in plenty of time,yet the other officer going 94 or faster did. I feel like the officer had no regard for himself,and certainly not for the law or the children he killed.He should be held responsible for the death of those two; whether they had a beer or not. Had it been the other way around and the children were going 94 they would have been under the jail certainly not on paid leave while the investigation took place.
11/18/09 @ 19:12
Comment from: jim [Visitor]
After viewing the video numerous times, I think the Officer with the videocam; while going 74 mph didn't hit the car that clearly would have made the left turn in plenty of time,yet the other officer going 94 or faster did. I feel like the officer had no regard for himself,and certainly not for the law or the children he killed.He should be held responsible for the death of those two; whether they had a beer or not. Had it been the other way around and the children were going 94 they would have been under the jail certainly not on paid leave while the investigation took place.
This.
11/18/09 @ 21:28
Comment from: Leon Wilson [Visitor]
Dis is typical police attitude in da hood two days. If it wasn't typical police attitude today..............dare wouldn't be typical police attitudes, tinks about dat!
11/19/09 @ 22:24
Comment from: St.N/eno Glenna MacDonald [Visitor]
If the officer was doing the speed limit and avoided the accident.
Mabe they would be around for Thanksgiving...Then again they were drinking and mabe had they not been in the accident they would have killed someone else and "they" wouldn`t be around for thanksgiving.
They are home with the Lord for the Holidays.
~Peace Glenna~
Mabe they would be around for Thanksgiving...Then again they were drinking and mabe had they not been in the accident they would have killed someone else and "they" wouldn`t be around for thanksgiving.
They are home with the Lord for the Holidays.
~Peace Glenna~
11/20/09 @ 00:13
Comment from: Bob T [Visitor]
Glad you showed the video. Those that don't like it, don't watch it!
It shows that both parties in this tragedy were dead wrong.
Speed and failure to grant r.o.w. !
Enough of the politically correct CRAP, okayyyyyyy
It shows that both parties in this tragedy were dead wrong.
Speed and failure to grant r.o.w. !
Enough of the politically correct CRAP, okayyyyyyy
11/20/09 @ 07:58
Comment from: Nova [Visitor]
I don't think this officer is at fault for causing the accident, he might have been speeding but i wanna know why he was in orange my guess was they had a commbative prisoner..."dangerious situation". The teens did not have the right of way. As a fellow officer I support him. The job of an officer is always about getting to places as quick as possible to protect and serve the public. Until someone does "wrong"... on the force.
The teens were drinking underage and driving, I'm sorry but you get what you deserve. If your going to drink and drive...while I guess you should ask M.A.D.D. what their opinion about their kids drinking and driving having concequences for those choices... Its sad to see anyone killed in an accident but people are preached to all the time about drinking and driving and what it does to your cordination or ability to make decisions properly. I grew up in milford and I support the milford police department and its officers in their actions.
The teens were drinking underage and driving, I'm sorry but you get what you deserve. If your going to drink and drive...while I guess you should ask M.A.D.D. what their opinion about their kids drinking and driving having concequences for those choices... Its sad to see anyone killed in an accident but people are preached to all the time about drinking and driving and what it does to your cordination or ability to make decisions properly. I grew up in milford and I support the milford police department and its officers in their actions.
11/21/09 @ 00:00
Comment from: F800 [Visitor]
You, sir, are part of the problem and exactly the type of individual who makes it hard for good cops to get the respect they deserve.
There is absolutely no defense for driving 94mph without siren/flashing lights. This is reckless disregard for the safety of the public.
Regardless of the errors of the kids in the accident, no objective analysis can defend the actions of EITHER of these officers.
There is absolutely no defense for driving 94mph without siren/flashing lights. This is reckless disregard for the safety of the public.
Regardless of the errors of the kids in the accident, no objective analysis can defend the actions of EITHER of these officers.
11/21/09 @ 11:20
Comment from: lexico [Visitor]
Nova....so basically you're saying that the two teens "got what they deserved" because they had been drinking. And exactly what happened to the combative prisoner in the back of the speeding vehicle? Did he vanish into thin air? There is absolutely no reason for that officer to have been going 94 mph, or does the police manual say when you have a combative person in your back seat, you should speed like h*ll in order to get him into lockup ASAP? F800 has it right, you are part of the problem, officers like you (if you really are an officer) give all the good officers bad names.
11/21/09 @ 18:08
Comment from: roadrunner [Visitor]
You are dumb because the cops both of them were on the way back to milford after a call they were raceing get it maybe you are a cop to bad if you are.
12/07/09 @ 19:09
Comment from: Judy [Visitor]
I'm sorry, I think if the officer instead drove the speed limit, he would have been in a position of protecting and serving by performing a traffic stop on the teenage driver. It would have saved their and others' lives and avoided this entire tragedy.
01/01/10 @ 18:53
Comment from: Nooob [Visitor]
Although the footage may appear graphic and everyone viewing it knows the outcome, people should be able to review the footage. Citizens should know how their town employees are acting when on duty. Problems such as the officer's complete disrespect for the law they are hired to uphold is not just a local problem. It is disturbing that 2 teenagers paid for the officer's lack of conscience and respect.
11/21/09 @ 19:38
Comment from: Lynn [Visitor]
There is enough blame being passed around, perhaps all parties share some responsibility. Nonetheless, my comment is that the video should not have been released if simply because of the heinous editing that's been done to it on other websites. Sadly there are horrible persons that would do such things.
11/21/09 @ 22:52
Comment from: BW [Visitor]
That was a G rated video. Can't believe some found it disturbing. See something disturbing in real time, front-row seat then get back to me.
11/22/09 @ 07:11
Comment from: jeff [Visitor]
The question of showing the video comes down to this: Would people be thinking and talking about this crash as much, if they had never witnessed what happened by seeing it with their own eyes?
the one phrase answer is " Hell No! " people have no problem watching other crimes on survalence cameras...
now knowing it was a final moment for two young adults, innocent at that... (don't give me crap about drinking, it had nothing to do with being murdered @94mph)i find i disturbing, but, it is what it is... i thought chan 8 did a fair, balanced, and articulated with Professional Decorum, job with this wretched story...
the one phrase answer is " Hell No! " people have no problem watching other crimes on survalence cameras...
now knowing it was a final moment for two young adults, innocent at that... (don't give me crap about drinking, it had nothing to do with being murdered @94mph)i find i disturbing, but, it is what it is... i thought chan 8 did a fair, balanced, and articulated with Professional Decorum, job with this wretched story...
11/23/09 @ 15:19
Here's a question, does the release of this video taint potential jurers? Taken at face value I can honestly say it has had a definate influence on my opinion of the incident.
11/24/09 @ 16:52
Comment from: blueknightbob [Visitor]
As a retired Police Officer and now living out of state, I was contacted to watch the video and read about the incident. First, when I responded to any incident I never traveled at 74 or 94 miles per hour. Never. Second, they were in fact not responding to an incident. No siren and no red/blue lights. God knows what they were doing. Seems like they were playing a game or possibly drag racing which is against the law. Police officers have a right to break the law only while performing their duties. There is no evidence that they were performing their duties. None. The focus appears on the teenages that were drinking and making an unsife left turn against traffic. How did they know that a car was approaching them at 94 miles per hour, especially on Rt. one. Those kids did not deserve to die. Without the video evidence the truth would not be known. The Officer that took an oath to protect and serve, caused this terrible accident. My heart goes out to the families including the Officers family. They are innocent victims also of his very poor judgement. Did he learn anything at the Police academy? Apparently not. Police Officers save lives not take them.
11/25/09 @ 12:36
Comment from: feeling someones pain [Visitor]
blueknightbob, No one could have said it better. God bless
02/23/10 @ 10:47
Comment from: Bones [Visitor]
If that light had been on it's normal cycle, the turning car would have had a green arrow and the police car would have seen the red. Could the red light have slowed the officer enough to avoid or lessen the crash? Who is responsible for the setting of the cycle to flash switch over time?
11/26/09 @ 12:00
Comment from: A former Cop [Visitor]
I think it was important to show the crash,,too often we protect the police when they do something wrong, This officer was going over 90 MPH for what?? Did he know the "Hot" light was on at Krispy Kreme,,there was no need for him to go that fast going back to town. Whether or not these kids had been drinking doesn't matter one bit, He would have killed them if they had nothing but water. He was WRONG and he SHOULD go to jail for manslaughter.
12/10/09 @ 07:21
Comment from: Pete [Visitor]
As a kid you look up to the police and other officials.
Then you grow up and realized that here is a group, as a general, that does not lead by example and this is just more proof.
How many officers, like NH narcotics div, commit crimes minor or manslaughter like this one.
Its time the police officers start leading by example, some do. However I do not think most do
If you are going to enforce the laws, live by them. From passing on the right, speeding, no turn signals, etc.
We are all human and do forget sometimes, but far too often do we all see police breaking what they enforce.
What the cam video does, how horrific some may feel it is. It show proof that there was no logical or legal reason for him to be traveling in excess of 90 mph on Post Rd and hopefully will not be immune to the consequences like other people.
Then you grow up and realized that here is a group, as a general, that does not lead by example and this is just more proof.
How many officers, like NH narcotics div, commit crimes minor or manslaughter like this one.
Its time the police officers start leading by example, some do. However I do not think most do
If you are going to enforce the laws, live by them. From passing on the right, speeding, no turn signals, etc.
We are all human and do forget sometimes, but far too often do we all see police breaking what they enforce.
What the cam video does, how horrific some may feel it is. It show proof that there was no logical or legal reason for him to be traveling in excess of 90 mph on Post Rd and hopefully will not be immune to the consequences like other people.
12/21/09 @ 10:16
Comment from: Judy [Visitor]
A picture is worth a thousand words; a video in the making is priceless because it presents the truth.
It was worth airing.
It was worth airing.
01/01/10 @ 18:41
Comment from: lenny prior [Visitor]
I think it was important to show the video to show how little regards the police have for obeying the laws themselves. In west haven where I am the police don't wear seatbelts, talk on cells while driving, speed, they don't even stop for pedestrians in the crosswalks. how are we supposed to abide by the law if they don't.
02/17/10 @ 19:31
Comment from: r3asonabl3doubt [Visitor]
Most people will look at and recall the horrific ending of this tape. Myself, combing through it multiple times, stumbled across an important piece of evidence. On the dashcam clock @ 2:13:29, you will clearly see two important things which mean that this was 1000% avoidable!
1.) The traffic light in front of Frankies changes to RED.
2.) Pisani runs the RED light at a high speed, then Anderson runs the RED light at a much higher speed.
If both officers had stopped for the traffic signal, the accident would not have ocurred, the tenns would be alive and well, and all of the subsequent fallout afterwards would not have happened.
Why aren't these two cops both up on the RED Traffic Light violations?
1.) The traffic light in front of Frankies changes to RED.
2.) Pisani runs the RED light at a high speed, then Anderson runs the RED light at a much higher speed.
If both officers had stopped for the traffic signal, the accident would not have ocurred, the tenns would be alive and well, and all of the subsequent fallout afterwards would not have happened.
Why aren't these two cops both up on the RED Traffic Light violations?
03/24/10 @ 13:44
Comment from: ugg [Visitor] · http://www.uggvipshop.com
ugg boots
sale ugg boots
ugg boots on sale
cheap ugg boots
discount ugg boots
ugg boots AU
UGG Classic Tall
UGG Classic Short Boots
UGG Classic Cardy
UGG Classic Mini
UGG Ultra Tall
UGG Classic Metallic
UGG Sundance II
UGG Bailey Button
UGG Bailey Button Boots
UGG Argyle Knit Boots
UGG Classic Tall Boots
UGG Romantic Flower Boots
UGG Nightfall Boots
UGG Slippers
UGG Ultra Short Boots
Write by uggvipshop
http://www.uggvipshop.com/
sale ugg boots
ugg boots on sale
cheap ugg boots
discount ugg boots
ugg boots AU
UGG Classic Tall
UGG Classic Short Boots
UGG Classic Cardy
UGG Classic Mini
UGG Ultra Tall
UGG Classic Metallic
UGG Sundance II
UGG Bailey Button
UGG Bailey Button Boots
UGG Argyle Knit Boots
UGG Classic Tall Boots
UGG Romantic Flower Boots
UGG Nightfall Boots
UGG Slippers
UGG Ultra Short Boots
Write by uggvipshop
http://www.uggvipshop.com/
08/24/10 @ 23:55
Comment feed for this postOpinions that are derogatory, attack other users or are offensive in nature may be removed as defined by the Terms of Service. WTNH is not responsible for the content posted in the comment section. We reserve the right to remove any offensive or off-topic remark or thread.
The short version -- be nice and be respectful of other's opinions, even if they don't agree with yours, or your comment may be deleted.
The short version -- be nice and be respectful of other's opinions, even if they don't agree with yours, or your comment may be deleted.
Leave a comment
| « Congratulations to Our EMMY Award Nominees | A Familiar Face » |