Officer testifies at his civil trial

A Warren man's father sued after a family member was killed in a collision.
By ED RUNYAN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The Bazetta police officer whose conduct has been scrutinized the past 10 days in a civil trial about the night a Warren man died in a crash with a state highway patrol trooper, took the stand Tuesday.
Nick G. Papalas was called to testify in a lawsuit filed by John D. Robertson, after 18-year-old Joseph F. Robertson was killed in a crash Jan. 11, 2001, at North River and Elm roads in Howland Township. The suit names Papalas, the police department and the township.
The trial began early last week in the Trumbull County Common Pleas courtroom of Judge John Stuard.
Robertson also is administrator of Joseph Robertson's estate.
How events unfolded
Joseph Robertson's vehicle collided with an Ohio State Highway Patrol car operated by trooper Lee Sredniawa, who was pursing a man whose vehicle was traveling more than 100 mph. Papalas drove to the intersection to assist Sredniawa after hearing about the chase on a portable radio he was carrying.
When Papalas arrived, he pulled into the left turn lane on Elm Road next to the vehicle driven by Robertson. He turned on his siren and lights and tried to make eye contact with Robertson or his passenger.
The fleeing auto drove through the intersection from left to right, passing cars driven by Papalas and Robertson. Moments later when the light turned green, Robertson drove his car into the intersection and into the path of Sredniawa's cruiser.
Under cross-examination from Robertson's attorney, Papalas agreed that he had given differing statements about some events and repeatedly said he didn't remember all of the testimony he had given since 2001.
Officer's account
Papalas testified Tuesday that after the fleeing vehicle had passed through the intersection, he considered chasing it and pulled forward as much as a car length before changing his mind and waiting for Sredniawa's vehicle to pass through.
Papalas also testified Tuesday that photos he has seen recently suggested he may have only pulled forward a few feet. He added that trying to pull his police car in front of Robertson's car to stop Robertson from entering the intersection would have been difficult.
"I didn't feel I had room to pull in front," Papalas said, because of the possibility his cruiser would end up in the way of Sredniawa's cruiser.
Robert Jacola, Bazetta police chief at the time of the crash, testified that officers in his department primarily received training each year in weapons and domestic violence but not in how to secure an intersection in a chase situation such as the one in question.
"Unfortunately, there is not a lot of money for training, so we do what we can do. We have to prioritize," he said.
Judge Stuard denied a motion to declare a mistrial on the grounds that testimony Monday was prejudicial. The trial is expected to conclude today or tomorrow.