Earlier this year, a fatal motor vehicle accident claimed the life of a Connecticut teenager. Now the car accident is under investigation to determine whether an officer followed the department’s policies and procedures when he pursued the vehicle that crashed and killed a 15-year-old boy in Oxford, Connecticut.

The March 9 accident was originally investigated by the state police when a Ford Mustang convertible attempted to avoid a police stop for a motor vehicle violation and struck a building. The driver and front seat passenger were injured and the backseat passenger was killed in the collision. An initial investigation concluded that the driver was at fault for attempting to avoid apprehension for increasing speed and ignoring the officer’s attempt to stop him.

The driver of the vehicle was arrested on September 11 and charged with reckless driving, engaging police in pursue, misconduct with a motor vehicle and two equipment violations. Internal investigations are routine in serious and fatal accidents such as this one, according to authorities. The criminal charges can be used as evidence of negligence in a civil lawsuit should the family of the victim file claims against the driver, police officer or the police department.

According to authorities, the internal investigation aims to uncover the cause of the accident and produce a clearer picture about what happened and who was at fault. An independent investigation in any accident case can also ensure that evidence is preserved on behalf of the victim and family. This accident is being conducted by the police department and will review documentation, witness statements and other reports from state police.

Source: Connecticut Post, “Fatal Seymour crash under investigation,” Anne M. Amato, Oct. 2, 2012