Ohio father sues town, officer over son's death in police chase

By Jim Greene

Published on December 12, 2005

An Ohio man whose son was killed when his car was struck by a police car involved in a high-speed chase is suing the town of Bazetta, its police department, and a police officer.

Joseph Robertson, 18, was killed when his car was struck at an intersection by a police car on Jan. 11, 2001. Trooper Lee Sredniawa was chasing Colin Roberts, who was fleeing from a traffic stop.

A wrongful death suit filed by John Robertson, the victim's father, claims the car crash occurred because Officer Nick Papalas, attempting to monitor traffic along the anticipated route of the chase, parked his car in an intersection and blocked Robertson's view of approaching traffic. As a result, according to the suit, Robertson drove through the intersection and into the path of the approaching police car, which was traveling nearly 100 mph.

Opposing attorneys expect the trial to focus on the Bazetta Police Department's policies and practices for securing intersections and on its training of Papalas.

The Ohio Court of Claims has already ruled that Sredniawa's conduct was willful and wanton, and that he and the department were responsible. That information won't be admissible in the local case, to be heard in the court of Common Pleas Judge John M. Stuard.

A claim against Roberts and his insurance company has already been settled.

Comment on this article →