In 2006, former Fort Lauderdale Police Officer, Alexander Griss, while driving his cruiser over 90 mph hit and killed a woman. He was not responding to a call, nor was he even on duty.
Griss was fired from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department and his trial has begun for the vehicular homocide of the woman that died in the accident. If convicted, Griss faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
The woman of Lauderdale Lakes, was struck by the cruiser at Southeast 21st Street and Federal Highway in the early morning on June 19, 2006. She was propelled over 100 feet. The police car had jumped a concrete median crossed into the opposite traffic and came to rest in a field. The black box from the cruiser revealed that it was going about 90 mph in a 40 mph zone.
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department's internal investigation found that he frequently operated his cruiser at excessive speeds while working and off-duty. In the month prior to the accident, Griss drove over 90 mph at least 90 times on various according to the investigation.
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department may also be exposed to civil liability as the owner of the car involved in the accident. Given Griss' apparent propensity for speeding, there may also have been some negligence in his hiring, retention and supervision. Currently, Florida's sovereign immunity law applies which would limit damages to $100,000, possibly $200,000 absent a claims bill.
With over 50 years of collective service to the South Florida community, the Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers at The Ben Law Firm have helped thousands of clients to obtain money compensation for their personal injury and wrongful death claims.
All of the firm's partners have received the prestigious "AV" rating from Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, which is a recognition by their peers in the legal community that their practice meets the highest professional and ethical standards.
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