Cop files lawsuit in fatal accident

No criminal culpability was found on behalf of the officer.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A Boardman Township officer involved in a crash in which a 21-year-old man was killed says he was not responsible for the accident and he wants a court to award him damages.
The family of Steven Memmer, killed in the Feb. 1 collision with Patrolman Jack Cochran's cruiser, filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas in late March against Cochran. The family is seeking $15 million.
Cochran is countersuing, contending Memmer was negligent and a contributing factor in causing injuries, death and damages.
The counterclaim states that Memmer, without signaling, turned left into the path of Cochran's cruiser while Cochran was on his way to an emergency call with sirens and lights turned on.
As a result of the accident, Cochran says, he was violently thrown around in his car and was injured, resulting in pain, suffering and emotional distress.
He also contends he will require medical, chiropractic, psychological and transportation expenses in the future.
OSHP probe: According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, which investigated the crash, Cochran was headed for the 6000 block of Glenridge Avenue in response to a burglary call. Memmer was on his way home from work.
Memmer turned the Honda he was driving into the driveway of his Southern Boulevard apartment just as Cochran was attempting to pass from behind on his left side. The cruiser struck the car broadside. Memmer died a short time later.
The patrol estimated the cruiser was moving at 76 mph and Memmer's car at 6 mph at impact.
A Mahoning County grand jury found no criminal culpability on Cochran's part.
Other claims: Cochran's claim also states that the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation is obligated to pay him injury benefits.
The suit also says there may not have been sufficient insurance carried by Memmer to cover all of Cochran's losses and damages, entitling him to be paid from the uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage from St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Co., a policy holder for the township and Progressive Insurance Company, his personal insurance company.
Cochran is seeking sums in excess of $25,000 from the three and requests a jury trial.