Pedestrian hit by police car hires lawyer

Victim, witnesses say Jacksonville Sheriff's Office cruiser did not have siren on

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The version of events given by the man hit by a police cruiser that was responding to a burglary on Friday morning is different from the statement the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office released after the accident.

Roberto Santiago, 53, was knocked to the ground by a Jacksonville Sheriff's Office cruiser on Century Street in Arlington. Police at the the time said Santiago also complained of back injuries and was taken to Memorial Hospital for observation.

Sgt. Donald Washington said two officers were in a marked patrol car responding to a burglary call with emergency lights and siren on when they turned onto Century Street and tried to pass two vehicles stopped in the road. Police later said the siren was turned off as the officer turned off Atlantic Boulevard "due to the proximity of the call ... in an effort to arrive in a stealthier, more tactical manner."

Washington said one of the cars turned left as the cruiser was passing it. When Officer B.R. Watkins swerved to avoid a crash, his car clipped Santiago. Police cited the driver of the that they say caused the officer to swerve.

But Santiago's family said the police officer was driving recklessly. He has hired the law firm of Farah & Farah. 

Legally, motorists are required to get out of an officer's way if he's speeding to a call and never turn in front of the officer, blocking the path. While that's technically what happened in this case, the driver of the car that turned said the officer was speeding through a narrow road, and he never saw or heard him coming.

"I didn't see him," said Joseph Saliba. "It happened in a split second."

Saliba was cited with failure to yield and vehicle passing on the left. He said he is also considering hiring an attorney.

Police said investigators have not established the speed of either vehicle.

Surveillance video obtained by News4Jax shows the officer hitting a pedestrian, but the Sheriff's Office said the video doesn't prove anything.

"That would have to be played out in court. We're not going to Monday-morning quarterback Everyone's given a citation. When you are given a citation, you are given the opportunity to take recourse and go to court, and this person has that right," according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

Police who live and work in the area said the road is dangerous because there are a few businesses that are very popular, with cars regularly parking close to the road and a lot of people walking around.

"They've got a lot of business, and God bless them for that, but they're putting everyone else that lives here at risk because they've got to walk through here to go to the stores," said Billy Peek.

News4Jax has asked for Officer Watkins' driving record, but it was not available as of Monday afternoon.


About the Author:

Scott is a multi-Emmy Award Winning Anchor and Reporter, who also hosts the “Going Ringside With The Local Station” Podcast. Scott has been a journalist for 25 years, covering stories including six presidential elections, multiple space shuttle launches and dozens of high-profile murder trials.