A Cullman County jury returned a $4.5 million verdict against the city of Hanceville and one of its police officers. David Marsh and Rip Andrews tried this case involving a police officer who failed to follow the rules of the road.
One winter night, a 77-year-old Hanceville woman was on her way home from work when her car was struck broadside by a Hanceville police vehicle. The officer was not in pursuit or responding to an emergency call at the time of the wreck. David and Rip told the jury that our client could not see the police car because the officer did not turn on his vehicle’s siren or blue lights, in violation of both state law and the policies and procedures of Hanceville Police Department. They also presented expert testimony that the police officer was traveling at approximately 90 miles per hour at the time of the wreck. The speed limit on this stretch of Highway 91 was 45 miles per hour. Defense counsel blamed the wreck on our client.
