Question
Could you provide feedback towards my closing argument? Facts: The accident in which Ms. Harris was involved occurred when the vehicle she was driving collided
Could you provide feedback towards my closing argument?
Facts: The accident in which Ms. Harris was involved occurred when the vehicle she was driving collided at an intersection with a vehicle driven by Officer Drew Preston of the Anne Arundel County, Maryland Police Department.
Ms. Harris suffered several physical injuries in the accident;
Officer Preston's injuries were less serious.
After receiving the call, Officer Preston stated that he activated his patrol car emergency lights and siren. As he approached the intersection of Crain Highway and Hospital Drive, the traffic light at the intersection was red for persons traveling in the same direction. Officer Preston proceeded through and did not stop for the red light.
As he traveled through the intersection, he was caught off guard by Ms. Harris' vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. He tried to avoid colliding with her car but was not successful. He stated that he turned off his lights and siren after the collision and radioed for police and ambulance assistance.
Just prior to the accident, Paula Harris left a family dinner hosted at a relative's house. Ms. Harris stated that as she proceeded down Hospital Drive approaching the intersection with Crain Highway, the traffic light regulating her travel was red. She sat at the red light for approximately one and one-half minutes until the light turned green in her favor. There were no cars in front of her car. Ms. Harris stated that she proceeded to drive through the intersection.
Closing Argument:
Paula Harris vs. Police Officer Drew Preston
To honorable Judge, members of the jury, my name is Attorney Patty, representing the
plaintiff's side in this case. On February 17, 2018, where the collision accident happened in the intersection down the Crain Highway, at around 10:00 PM was due to negligence. The testimony of Police Officer Vicky Zodin that, she saw Police Officer Preston driving down Crain Highway. She saw the emergency lights of his police car activated but did not recall hearing a serine. After twenty seconds, she heard a loud crash from the said collision in the intersection.
Another testimony from Terence Wright and Trevor Williams saying, that they only saw
the police car near the intersection with the emergency lights on but not the serine activated.
Based on these two statements your honor, there was a negligence on the part of Police
Officer Preston. As stated on The Right of Way, 2018 Maryland Code Transportation, 2018, "On the immediate approach of an emergency vehicle using audible and visual signals that meet the requirements of 22-218 of this article or of a police vehicle lawfully using an audible signal, the driver of every other vehicle, unless otherwise directed by a police officer, shall yield the right-of-way". Take not of the terms "audible and visual signals". These two must be activated as stated in the provisions but only visual signal did Police Officer Preston activated. So, your honor, with due respect to this body, circumstances, and provision, we are honoring the decision of this court.
Thank you for giving as the time to be heard.
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