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New dash cam video released shows a Tulsa police officer texting while driving seconds before getting in a wreck. The other driver was at fault after police say the driver crossed the median. It’s something we’re all taught not to do — texting while driving — a danger on the roads no matter who’s behind the wheel. In this case, a Tulsa police officer was caught on camera texting while driving seconds before the other vehicle crashes into him, his airbag deploying in his face. Video inside the patrol car shows this unnamed officer on the phone, and dash cam video clearly shows the other car jumping a curb between some trees and slamming into him. Police say the officer was headed south on Riverside near 81st. The crash happened around 7:30 p.m. Aug. 15 near Riverside Drive and East 66th Place. Police say an officer was driving southbound on Riverside when a northbound Jeep Grand Cherokee crossed the center median and hit him on the driver’s side of the vehicle.Police say the officer involved in the crash complained of a sore jaw and elbow, most likely from the airbag deployment.
The officer was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the Jeep was not injured. “I think it’s dangerous. Bottom line, I don’t think anyone should text and drive,” said neighbor Christina Bonds. Bonds lives near where the two cars crashed. She says she sees too many distracted drivers. “It’s scary over here anyways with traffic, because a lot of people, a lot of people everywhere when they’re driving, just don’t pay attention anymore,” said Bonds. She says even if the other driver caused the wreck, the officer may have been able to avoid it had he not been on his phone. “It possibly could have been prevented had he not been texting,” said Bonds. Even though he was texting, officials say the crash was unavoidable. “There was nothing that this officer could have done to prevent this collision from happening,” Tulsa Officer Jeanne Pierce said. It’s unclear why the driver crossed over the median and if the driver was arrested.
Article Source: https://ktul.com/news/local/video-tulsa-police-officer-caught-texting-while-driving-before-crash
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