A city police officer rushing to help a fellow officer break up a bar fight slammed into another car in the intersection of North Massey and Coffeen streets early Sunday, resulting in serious injuries to the other driver.
The officer was at fault, according to a police report about the accident released Sunday afternoon.
The officer, George A. Cummings, was driving his marked 2009 Ford police cruiser north on North Massey Street about 2 a.m. to respond to a call for assistance at the Edge of the River Pub, 519 W. Main St., where a large fight had broken out.
Officer Cummings had a red light as he approached the intersection with his lights and siren activated, according to the report.
At the same time, Timothy E. Greenfield, 44, of 237 Central St., Apt. 2., was driving his 1998 Oldsmobile sedan west in the 200 block of Coffeen Street and was facing a green light.
Mr. Greenfield proceeded into the intersection, and "when he observed/heard the patrol unit, he stopped in the center of the intersection," according to the police report.
Officer Cummings hit the brake and went into a skid, and unable to stop, his cruiser crashed into the driver's side of Mr. Greenfield's car, according to the police report. The Oldsmobile spun clockwise 90 degrees and over the curb.
Both men were injured.
Officer Cummings suffered a scrape on his head and sought treatment, but he was not hospitalized.
Mr. Greenfield suffered a chest injury and was removed from his vehicle using emergency equipment. He was taken via helicopter to Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, where he was listed in good condition Sunday night, according to the nursing supervisor.
Police reconstructed the scene and took photos, determining that the police officer was at fault in the accident.
Officer Cummings "is at fault due to speed and failure to clear an intersection during emergency operation," the report said.
No charges were filed.
Copyright 2013 - Watertown Daily Times, N.Y.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
