- New York police often cite broad legal immunity for emergency responders to deny legal claims related to police-involved crashes.
- But some attorneys and advocates are raising concerns that meeting the state legal standard of proving police acted with “reckless disregard” is too steep.
A Rochester police car slammed into a row of parked vehicles on Park Avenue, leaving behind a trail of twisted metal, shattered glass and other costly damage for innocent New Yorkers to pick up.
One of them was Dina Noto, whose tiny Toyota Corolla got crunched between a Subaru crossover and pick-up truck. She tried to hold police accountable last autumn, but the city rejected her claim, citing broad legal immunity granted to emergency responders.
The incident underscored concerns that civilians involved in police crashes face too steep barriers to justice, as revealed in an ongoing USA TODAY Network-Syracuse University investigation.
Speeding NY officer kills father of twoA NY cop ran a red light going 88 mph and killed a young father. He still has his badge.