News Releases

FATAL ACCIDENT INVOLVING OFFICER (UPDATE)

Jan 20th, 2009

File Number: 09-01-3020

On Monday, January 19, 2009 at approximately 7:00 P.M., Officers from the Mobile Police Department First Precinct responded to an accident involving an on duty police officer and a civilian in the area of Government Blvd. and Pleasant Valley Road.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the officer, Van Eric Peterson (23) was traveling eastbound on Government Blvd. responding to a complaint when he collided with a Jeep Cherokee occupied by a female identified as Patricia Layton Smith (54).

Smith did not survive the collision and was pronounced deceased on the scene. Officer Peterson received minor injury and was transported to the University of South Alabama Medical Center for treatment.

This case is under investigation by members of the Mobile Police Department's Traffic Accident Investigation Unit who are conducting the accident investigation, and members of the Internal Affairs Unit who are conducting the administrative investigation of the incident.

Further information will be disseminated as it becomes available.

Cpl. Charles D. Bagsby Jr.

Public Information Office

Office: 208-1715

Fax: 208-1758