Metro OKs settling of suits

Keith Paul

Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2001 | 11:04 a.m.

Metro Police's financial oversight committee Monday approved a $90,000 payout to settle two lawsuits stemming from traffic accidents involving officers.

In both accidents, which resulted in injuries, Metro's accident review board determined the two officers were at fault and were disciplined, said Sgt. Christopher Darcy, a department spokesman.

Metro's fiscal affairs committee, made up of two City Council members, two county commissioners and a citizen, voted without comment to approve settlements of $50,000 and $40,000.

Officer Jeff Martin attempted to cross Rainbow Boulevard on July 5 with the patrol car's lights and siren on and collided with a car driven by Ralph Loctish. Loctish suffered cuts on his face, multiple rib fractures and a chest injury. His medical costs were more than $25,000, police said. Loctish's case was settled for $50,000. Martin was not ticketed for the accident.

Officer David Scholtes turned onto Charleston Boulevard from 26th Street on May 5 and collided with a car in which Rocio Del Carmen Palacious was a passenger. Palacious suffered lower back injuries and incurred medical costs of more than $14,000. Her case was settled for $40,000. Scholtes was given a ticket for unsafe turning, police said.

"Obviously there was some liability on our part, and we decided to settle the matters," Darcy said.

Darcy would not reveal the discipline the officers faced resulting from the accidents saying department policy forbids releasing the nature of the punishment.