Police say car fire not related to fuel tank problem

Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2004 | 9:42 a.m.

The Metro Police cruiser that caught fire after it was rear-ended Sunday had undergone modifications to make it safer, but police said the crash was so severe that the modifications were not enough.

The cruiser was a 2000 Ford Crown Victoria, which many police departments use. Sgt. Chris Jones said the department upgraded the safety of its Crown Victorias several years ago.

Kevlar shields were placed around the gas tank and the passenger compartment, he said, and bolts near the gas tank were shaved to make them less likely to puncture the tank, Jones said.

While police are still investigating why Officer Jeff Swan's cruiser caught fire, its being a Crown Victoria is not believed to be a factor. Jones said any car would have been likely to catch fire.

"This was a very violent wreck," Jones said. "The strongest point on the suspect's vehicle, the front, hit the weakest point on the cruiser, the back. The amount of force was tremendous."

The Crown Victorias that Metro purchases now already come with the modifications, he said.

Swan, 42, suffered moderate injuries in the collision Sunday.

He was stopped at a red light on Nellis Boulevard at Sahara Avenue when a Chevrolet Caprice driven by a 22-year-old man rear-ended his car, police said.

The cruiser was knocked forward about 165 feet, hitting two other cars.

The collision caused the police car to catch fire, and 50 to 75 percent of it burned, police said.