There was some sad news in the Valley last weekend.
Kristine Poulos was killed while crossing the street at the intersection of Woodman and Bessemer. An LAPD vehicle hit her and she suffered fatal injuries.
The LAPD patrol car from the North Hollywood station was responding to a call in the neighborhood stemming from a Halloween house party in Sherman Oaks. Poulos was 32-years-old and leaves behind two small children.
The tragic case of Kristine Poulos raises important questions pertaining to police liability.
California Vehicle Code. Section 17004.7 provides that a police agency is immune from liability for civil damages or personal injury to or death of any person resulting from the collision of a vehicle being operated by an actual or suspected violator of the law who is being pursued in a motor vehicle by a police officer.
Police agencies have the discretion to adopt policies and procedures regarding police pursuits. This is not required, although practically, many police agencies do. Both the Los Angeles Police Department and the California Highway Patrol have these procedures in place.
We discussed police chase liability in more detail in this post from 2022.
Practically speaking, these cases often (but not always) settle.
Whatever the case may be, we express our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the family of Kristine Poulos. Pedestrians are not supposed to be killed by police vehicles, and we hope the LAPD investigates this tragic incident.
If you have questions about your Los Angeles or San Fernando Valley case, my office is ready to assist, 24/6.
