May 7, 2009 11:15 pm US/Eastern
Dashcam Captures Officer Del Rio's Last Moments
HOLLYWOOD (CBS4) ―
Hollywood Police Officer Alex Del Rio spent the night of November 22, 2008 like he did many other nights -- keeping the streets safe from speeders. But there was one speeder Del Rio would never catch.
Newly released police dash cam video shows Del Rio in his police cruiser driving about 100 miles per hour trying to catch a speeding driver in the 7000 block of Sheridan Street. The video shows a taxicab driver turning left as Del Rio approached an intersection. Del Rio swerved to miss the taxi, then lost control of the car. Del Rio slammed into two trees, and then his car immediately burst into flames.
Witnesses rushed to assist the 9-year veteran officer but they were unable to get into the car. People called 911 urging first responders to arrive quickly.
This is a portion of one of those 911 calls:
CALLER: He's gonna be dead if you don't get somebody here real quick.
DISPATCHER: Ok. We're already on the way there. I just need you to let me know what's going on, ok? Stay on the phone with me, ok?
CALLER: Somebody's trying to get into the car but they can't get to it.
DISPATCHER: It's fully engulfed in flames?
CALLER: Yes, ma'am. It's fully engulfed in flames.
Del Rio suffered burns over 85% of his body and died in the accident. The speeding driver Del Rio was chasing was never caught.
Hollywood Police determined the accident occurred due to a combination of factors.
The crash report, which was also released Thursday, states "a tragic set of events such as not activating (Del Rio's) emergency lights and siren, the police vehicle's position on the roadway where he could not be seen by the taxi cab as the driver made his turn on to N. 70 Terrace and the fact Officer Del Rio was traveling at more than twice the posted speed limit as he attempted to catch the suspected traffic violator all contributed as causation factors for this fatal crash event to occur."
Lt. Scott Pardon said department policy does not mandate officers have lights and sirens on when chasing a speeding driver.
"The reason officers don't turn lights on is to avoid the likelihood of pursuit," said Lt. Pardon, adding that the policy is under review but is unlikely to be changed. "If we change the policy it gives people the advance warning that an officer is in pursuit" and that could lead to a dangerous situation.
The crash report also said the taxicab driver, Michael Riviere, was not issued a traffic citation because he likely could not see Del Rio's police cruiser.
Lt. Pardon said Del Rio was a terrific officer who took his job seriously and loved it.
"We take for granted how routine acts are not that routine," Lt. Pardon said. "In this case he's going after a speeder, and it's a very dangerous job and sometimes these things happen."
Del Rio may be gone physically but his memory lives on. His mother, Miriam Fernandez, started the Alex Del Rio Foundation to provide college scholarships to qualified students.
At a memorial last week for fallen Hollywood police officers, Fernandez said she the death of her son is devastating.
"I am very saddened by the loss of my son but he was doing what he loved doing and that is protecting us," Fernandez said.
To read more about the scholarship
CLICK HERE.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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