Infant injured in wreck with Oxford police cruiser
A 5-month-old infant was injured in a wreck involving the cruiser of an Oxford police officer attempting to pull over another, speeding vehicle Thursday morning, state troopers said.
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Officer Donald Colbert, 37, was sitting in a Dodge Charger on the right shoulder of N.C. Highway 158, near Salem Street, facing east and patrolling for speeders around 10:30 a.m. A westbound, speeding vehicle passed by, and Colbert pulled out into the two-lane highway to make a U-turn and follow the vehicle.
Troopers said the Charger was sideswiped by an eastbound 1997 Buick car driven by Elham Meglaa, 28, of Oxford. The right front of the Buick hit the Charger's left front tire.
Meglaa's 5-month-old son Patrick Lamiy suffered non-life-threatening injuries, troopers said. The infant was in a child seat in the front passenger seat, troopers said.
Meglaa was shaken up and had cuts on her hand. Colbert wasn't injured.
Troopers said they planned to meet with the district attorney Monday to determine if charges should be filed in the wreck.
Colbert told troopers that he did not see the Buick.
Troopers said that heavy fog contributed to the wreck and that the stretch of road where the wreck happened is flat and straight for about mile in either direction. Colbert turned on his siren and lights before pulling into the highway, troopers said.
The airbags in Meglaa's car deployed.
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