MONTROSS, Va. (AP) - Virginia State Police say charges won't be filed against the driver of a car that struck a state police patrol car in King George County, killing a trooper.
State police have concluded an investigation into the accident that killed Trooper Adam M. Bowen on June 24.
State police say Bowen was responding to a call for assistance and his cruiser was traveling about 85 mph when it was struck by the slow-moving car. The impact forced the patrol car into a light pole. The driver and passenger of the other car suffered minor injuries.
Commonwealth's Attorney Matt Britton says no charges will be brought against the other driver because he didn't want Bowen's death overshadowed by a minor court case.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
VIRGINIA STATE POLICE TROOPER SACRIFICED
HIS LIFE IN ATTEMPT TO SAVE OTHERS
No Charges to be Placed in Fatal Crash
RICHMOND – The Virginia State Police has concluded its investigation into the two-vehicle crash in King George County on the evening of June 24, 2011, that claimed the life of Trooper Adam M. Bowen.
At approximately 6:45 p.m. Friday (June 24, 2011), Trooper Bowen was responding to assist with a narcotics task force investigative operation. With his lights and siren activated, Trooper Bowen was traveling west on Route 3/Kings Highway. At the intersection of Route 3 and Barbara's Way, the traffic lights on Route 3 were solid green for both west and eastbound traffic. As the trooper entered the intersection, an eastbound Hyundai Elantra failed to yield to oncoming traffic and began making a left turn.
Based on approximately 135 feet of tire marks at the scene, eyewitness accounts, and the reconstructive investigation, Trooper Bowen had changed from the left westbound lane to the right lane while approaching the intersection in an attempt to avoid the turning vehicle. Despite Trooper Bowen's evasive efforts, the Hyundai struck the trooper's vehicle at the driver's side rear passenger door. The impact spun the Ford Crown Victoria patrol car counterclockwise into the curb off the right side of the highway. The car rolled onto the passenger side with the roof striking a traffic light pole. Meanwhile, the Hyundai came to rest in the right turn lane just west of the intersection.
The patrol car's impact with the pole caused the vehicle to pull apart along the riveted seams of the frame. The front end of the patrol car continued into a nearby parking lot where it struck three parked vehicles. Trooper Bowen, who was wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the car and died at the scene.
"There is no question, as confirmed by the findings of the crash reconstruction report, that Trooper Adam Bowen's immediate and evasive action to avoid the turning Hyundai saved that couple's life," said Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. "Adam was a dedicated public safety professional who proudly served and protected not only the citizens of the Commonwealth as a state trooper, but also his nation during his five years in the military. His death is a tremendous loss to our Department and to the King George and Northern Neck communities."
The driver of the Hyundai, James H. Sunderlin, 69, of Stafford, and the passenger, Marie N. Alford, 62, of King George, suffered minor injuries. Both were treated at and released from Mary Washington Hospital. Sunderlin and Alford were wearing seat belts.
Through its comprehensive investigation and analysis, the Virginia State Police Richmond Division's Accident Reconstruction Team determined the patrol vehicle was traveling at approximately 85 mph when it was struck by the Hyundai, which was traveling at approximately 24 mph. The patrol vehicle's speed at impact with the traffic light pole was approximately 67 mph.
After reviewing the entire case and in consultation with the Virginia State Police, King George County Commonwealth's Attorney Matt Britton has decided not to charge the driver of the Hyundai for failing to yield the right of way. Matt Britton stated in making this decision: "This is a very tough decision. The driver of the Hyundai clearly disregarded the blaring lights and siren of a marked cruiser. However, nothing that we do here will bring Trooper Bowen back. Bringing a traffic charge against the other driver will cause this matter to continue on. I do not want Trooper Bowen's heroic life and death overshadowed by a minor court case. At this point, the matter is better laid to rest."
Trooper Bowen, 28, of Warsaw, Va., was a graduate of the 114th Basic Session. He graduated July 3, 2008, from the Virginia State Police Academy. Since graduation, he has been assigned to the Area 44 Office, which includes King George and Caroline counties. Trooper Bowen led his area in criminal arrests and was recognized by Mother's Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in 2010 for his outstanding enforcement efforts regarding impaired drivers. Trooper Bowen was also a certified field sobriety instructor at the state police academy.
Prior to joining the state police, Trooper Bowen spent five years with the U.S. Air Force National Guard. He served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Trooper Bowen, a native of Westmoreland County, is survived by a fiancé, his parents and brother.
