D.C. Police Cruiser Bursts Into Flames After Crash
Officers Look At Possible Design Flaw
POSTED: 7:54 p.m. EDT May 5, 2003
WASHINGTON -- D.C. police have many questions following a fiery crash this weekend involving a police cruiser.
The crash happened in southeast Washington Saturday afternoon. Investigators said police were responding to a situation at Naylor Road and Southern Avenue when another car hit a parked vehicle and a police car.
Nine people were hurt in the crash, including five police officers.
The police car, a Ford Crown Victoria, burst into flames as it was pushed up along the side of the road.
The exact cause of Saturday's fire has not yet been determined, but Crown Victorias have been the focus of recent investigations because similar several police cruisers have burst into flames.
Ford has provided police departments with special shields to protect the gas tanks in the event of a rear-end collision. Investigators said police cruisers are at much greater risk of being hit from behind because of the cars are often stopped along the sides of roads.
So far, the Metropolitan Police Department has installed the shields on 752 of its 773 Crown Victorias. The police department will not decide on any policy changes until after the investigation is complete.
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The crash happened in southeast Washington Saturday afternoon. Investigators said police were responding to a situation at Naylor Road and Southern Avenue when another car hit a parked vehicle and a police car.
Nine people were hurt in the crash, including five police officers.
The police car, a Ford Crown Victoria, burst into flames as it was pushed up along the side of the road.
